Pelicans not entertaining trade offers for Herbert Jones

The Pelicans aren’t entertaining offers for Herbert Jones, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic, cooling off a storyline that has circulated around the NBA and inside Lakers circles for weeks.

Jones has been the name most often floated as a potential Los Angeles target by rival scouts and executives, but New Orleans doesn’t appear willing to play along.

The swingman becomes trade-eligible on January 14 after signing a three-year extension in July, yet team and league sources told The Athletic that the Pelicans have no interest in moving him — especially for what the Lakers can realistically offer.

Los Angeles could cobble together expiring contracts and one first-round pick, but Woike notes that such a package “almost certainly wouldn’t” register for the Pelicans. And with New Orleans sitting at 3-22 but still focused on evaluating its young core, Jones remains viewed internally as a long-term piece, not a trade chip.

Could that stance shift before the February 5 deadline? Sources suggest the Pelicans would need to be “overwhelmed” for any change of heart.

Jones continues to deliver at a two-way level that keeps him firmly in New Orleans’ plans. He’s averaging 9.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals while shooting 34.7 percent from deep.

The former second-round pick was an All-Defensive First Team selection last season and holds career averages of 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals.