The Pelicans and forward Herbert Jones have agreed to a three-year, $68MM extension, according to Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link). The deal will feature a player option on the final year, Charania adds.
Jones’ current contract will pay him roughly $13.9MM this season and $14.9MM in 2026/27. His new extension will begin in ’27/28 and will be start at 140% of his previous salary, with 8% annual raises, for a total of $67.6MM.
That means he’s now under contract for five seasons (including the player option in ’29/30) and would earn $96.4MM if he plays out the full deal.
The coveted defensive ace has evolved into a leader and mainstay for the Pelicans after being selected 35th overall in the 2021 draft. In four seasons with New Orleans, Jones holds averages of 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.7 blocks per game.
Jones joins Trey Murphy and Zion Williamson as the only Pelicans players on guaranteed contracts through at least 2027/28, though Dejounte Murray and the team’s 2024 and 2025 draftees have options for that season.
Jones has drawn plenty of outside interest due to his lock-down defense and growing three-point ability (he shot 41.8% in his last fully healthy season). However, with both he and Murphy on respectable and affordable deals, New Orleans likely won’t be eager to move either.
Jones, specifically, will have a six-month trade restriction once he officially signs his extension, so he won’t become eligible to be dealt until January.
Nice deal for player and team
If Herb plays like we think he can he will still be in line for a huge payday that last opt out year
I’d imagine his Trade value just doubled as well on the block if Pelicans go sideways next Feb.
Hes def a keeper but that doesn’t hurt, easy ink for Joe , nice to know he can make layups , outside shot needs work imo but it’s a good day for New Orleans basketball fans today
Good player but shocked the Pels were smart enough to extend him
HERB JONESSSSSS (Antonio Daniels voice)
Dumars is doing what he indicated. Fears, Jones, Murphy, Missi and Queen are now a 2 way core group that’s controlled for 4-5 years. Still have Murray and Zion, and other pieces, but I think there will be a much shorter leash with guys having availability issues. Targeting 2026-27 for a breakout, but the coming year can’t be another wasted one.
The future is now. Or, more accurately, the future is likely somewhere else if something good doesn’t happen fairly soon.
Love it. I was unsure about dumars based on his previous stints but im giving him the benefit of the doubt. I hope Willie green can put it all together and that injuries aren’t a factor, if not we have the ability to be a playoff team.
Unsure of Dumars previous stints because he drafted Fox and Haliburton in Sacramento?
Or is it because he won a championship in Detroit and went to 6 straight conference finals?
For a franchise as historically inept as the Pelicans, you should really know what winning actually entails before you determine what isn’t good enough for you.
He also won two championships as a player while guarding Magic, Bird and Michael
Trade Murray for a veteran C
Get a new medical staff and a new team name
That’s it