Herb Jones has spent his first two seasons locking down some of the NBA's best offensive weapons. This offseason, the Pelicans plan to lock down Jones, albeit in a surprising way.
The New Orleans Pelicans are declining forward Herb Jones’ $1.8 million team option for the 2023-24 season, which clears way for Jones to be a restricted free agent and for the sides to work toward a long-term extension, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2023
ESPN's Andrew Lopez put it more succinctly.
Apologies for the multiple tweets.
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) June 29, 2023
- Herb is restricted
- Pels want him back
Done.
Pels guard Jose Alvarado, an undrafted free agent from the same class as Jones, celebrated the news, knowing it means Jones can expect a raise this season.
Oh boy that bag about to get bigger. YESSIR Brody ! https://t.co/ZnQHsAkVrS
— Jose Alvarado (@AlvaradoJose15) June 29, 2023
NOLA.com's Christian Clark laid out the Pels' options for Jones earlier in the day, which also included the team picking up the option and him hitting restricted free agency next year or picking up the option and working toward a long-term deal at a later date.
Pels have until 4 p.m. today to decide on team options for Willy Hernangomez ($2.6 M), Naji Marshall ($1.9 M) and Herb Jones ($1.8 M)
— Christian Clark (@cclark_13) June 29, 2023
Pels can pick up Herb's option, which makes him a RFA next year; decline the option and give him a new deal; or pick up the option and extend.
According to numbers from salary-cap analyst Yossi Gozlan, the move makes sense from a financial perspective.
It looks like the Pelicans are clearing flexibility not for the MLE, but to re-sign Herb Jones on a team-friendly deal.
— Yossi Gozlan (@YossiGozlan) June 29, 2023
Jones is eligible for up to four years, $54M. It would start at $12M.
They could get to $16M below the tax if they cut Garrett Temple and dump Kira Lewis Jr. https://t.co/0ZkVDJdelP
Jones is certainly worth that price tag over the next four seasons. He's one of the best young perimeter defenders in the league and should only get better as he enters his prime.
By locking him up this offseason as opposed to waiting until later, it allows the Pels to get a great deal on a defensive cornerstone instead of him having another strong season and demanding more money on the market next year in free agency.
Some risk is involved in that a desperate franchise could attempt to throw more money at Jones than New Orleans can offer. However, with the league adjusting to the collective bargaining agreement and stronger penalties for constantly going over the salary cap, teams might be hesitant to break the bank for Jones.
Plus, it takes two to tango, and the Pelicans likely already have some idea that the feeling is mutual in completing a long-term deal.
Until one is reached, however, there will be plenty of speculation on where Jones will play this season. But that's just smoke without a fire.
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