Pelicans forward Herb Jones has been one of the surprises of this year’s rookie class, and veteran guard Garrett Temple got an early tip about his new teammate, writes Christian Clark of NOLA.com. Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports serves as the agent for both players, and Temple said Bartelstein was raving about Jones shortly after he was selected with the 35th pick.
Jones has exceeded expectations for a second-rounder, starting 23 of the 32 games he has played and averaging 8.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks per night. He was named Defensive Player of the Year in the SEC last season, but there were questions about whether he could provide enough offense to succeed in the NBA. He has been working to develop his jump shot and is connecting at 36.6% from three-point range on 1.3 attempts per game.
“I’ve gotten to know Herb as a person,” Temple said. “He’s the epitome of a great teammate, a great person. He’s someone you want on your team. He’s going to be in the league for a very, very long time.”
There’s more from the Southwest Division:
- There’s an assumption that the Pelicans will offer Zion Williamson a maximum extension this summer, but John Hollinger of The Athletic questions whether that’s wise considering Williamson’s injury history. The third-year forward has only played 85 total games and continues to recover from offseason foot surgery. Hollinger suggests an offer similar to Joel Embiid‘s contract, which protects the team if he can’t play a minimum number of games.
- The Grizzlies used their room exception to sign Killian Tillie to a two-year contract, tweets Chris Herrington of The Daily Memphian. The former two-way player will become a restricted free agent after the 2022/23 season.
- Rockets rookie center Alperen Sengun may face an extended absence after spraining his right ankle in Friday’s game, according to Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston (Twitter link). “It’s not day-to-day,” coach Stephen Silas said. “It’s probably about a week and then we’ll see.”
A top three pick is what Rockets should be focused on. Sengun is a nice talent. But I see him as first big off the bench. Jabari or Paolo both will be stars at the 4 in NBA. Rockets move Wood now. They can assure themselves top 3 pick. Plus get picks for Wood. There is good talent in top 10 this yr.
Pelicans could let someone else take the risk like the Knicks…. Quickley, Toppin, 4 1sts 4 swaps?
Might be best for both the Pelicans and Zion. Could end up as the best or worst move the Pelicans ever make.
4 1st 4 swaps and two guys they just drafted in round 1 and are rotation players. How would the Knicks ever build around Zion by doing that
Neither is a full time starter on the Knicks so why keep wasting time?
They’d still have tradeable contracts available to make deals, 2nds, and a 1st every other year that they can use or trade on draft day. They’d never get Zion otherwise. And his injury history is the only reason hed be available.
Given the Knicks summer spending spree I think we’d have to add the less than appealing contracts of Noel, Fournier and one or two others to make the numbers work.
Also given NYK has been rumored for some time to be searching for that name star since Durant went across the river, it makes some sense.
I’m sure New Orleans would demand Barrett, which frankly I’d be fine with. Even then, I’m not sure the franchise could stomach trading Zion this soon after trading AD. Would lightning strike a third time for them in the draft? They might think that rolling the dice on a generational but flawed talent is better (although what are the odds he asks out anyway?)
For NYK—a Randle-Zion experiment seems doomed, unless JR recalls how to shoot 40% on 3s again. But if Zion were to stay healthy it seems inevitable a second star would meander to Manhattan soon enough.
But if injuries derail his career (seems 50/50), then NY goes to perhaps a new low even for the Dolan era for 3-5 years. It’s a big bet—but given the team’s performance this year, and the seemingly dim odds of attracting a star with no strings attached given the assets they have, it’s possible the FO could be persuaded.
Herb should make the all rookie second team I’d he keeps it up. He’s had a couple big scoring nights lately
BTW Zion is only in his 3rd season not 4th, just saying!
OFC he will get the max, if not he walks, I mean thank goodness NOP hasn’t got any choice in the matter (otherwise they would get it wrong, as always), anyone & their grandma in the league would give him the max!
He could go the KP route… simply sign the QO and become an unrestricted FA in 2024. It’s a risk to turndown a 5yr max but he could if he really wants out.
And if he goes that route the Lakers and Nets have the cap space.
If you asked at the end of last season, you would have to be living on another plant to think NOP would do anything but offer Zion the full max.
But since then there have been seemingly credible rumors he wants out, then an undisclosed foot injury that’s kept him out the entire season (and doesn’t seem to be healing), and a ballooning weight issue.
Zion’s talent is unquestioned. But I think there’s a real concern here that this foot injury could take just enough of his athleticism away that, even if he remains healthy after it, he goes from transcendent talent to—you know, just really really really good.
That added with the other concerns is probably enough for NOP to at least have a meeting about whether or not to look at a sign and trade.
I mean, even with Zion playing at a peak level last season this team was still sub-playoffs. Do they have enough around him to entice him not to Ben Simmons them in a year and a half, regardless of health?