> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://intheno.net/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Herb Jones' Career Low Minutes Raises Questions for the Pelicans - URL: https://intheno.net/herb-jones-career-low-minutes-raises-questions-for-the-pelicans/ - Published: 2026-10-28T19:15:32.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-28T19:22:16.000Z - Description: Herb Jones is averaging just 17 minutes through New Orleans’ first three games, even as the team struggles to close out opponents. His defensive impact, trade interest, and uncertain future add to the questions facing the Pelicans. - Author: Shamit Dua - Tags: Pelicans Through three games, Herb Jones is averaging a career low 17 minutes per game, ranking him 11th on the Pelicans. Despite the Pelicans having gone down to the wire in each of their games, Herb Jones has been mostly glued to to the bench in crunch time. This has allowed opposing stars such as Tyrese Haliburton and Jamal Murray to walk down the Pelicans and close out massive deficits. The Pelicans and head coach Jamahl Mosley have opted to start Jeremiah Fears. Multiple sources have described Joe Dumars as extremely high on Fears. The young guard had a promising offseason and the front office are big fans of his approach to the game and tough mentality. Dumars wanted Fears to be given an opportunity to start and so far that is how it is playing out. What complicates the matter further is the presence of Dejounte Murray. Many around the league believe the Pelicans and Murray would like to work together to find a better situation for the veteran guard. Murray has publicly denied that he or his agent requested a trade. On February 25th, [Murray posted on social media](https://x.com/DejounteMurray/status/2026765724279304266?ref=intheno.net), "Me Or My Agent Never Requested A Trade Out Of NEW ORLEANS!!!! Joe And The Whole Organization Know I Was Locked In To Come Back Better Than Ever To Help Make This Play In Push And Whatever Comes After That!" Unfortunately Murray has been plagued by injuries during his time in New Orleans and needs more on court time to demonstrate his value to other teams. This makes it difficult to bring Murray off the bench and leaves Jones as the only viable option at the moment. Furthermore, there is some internal belief among the Pelicans that they can replicate Jones' defensive impact through Murray and newly acquired Benn Mathurin. Through three games, the early results suggest this has not been the case. Jones holds the largest defensive rating differential on the Pelicans. The Pelicans have allowed 25 points per 100 possessions fewer with Jones on the court compared to when he sits. The reverse is true for the Mathurin and Murray units, where the Pelicans allow 11 and 21 points per 100 more respectively when those players are on the court. As a team the Pelicans are currently ranked 23rd in defensive efficiency. This is despite having favorable luck with opposing three-point shooting, with opponents shooting only 29.8% on wide open threes. At practice Mosley was asked about Jones' limited playtime and admitted it was a priority to find minutes for the forward. “In this moment right now, Herb is the ultimate professional in where he is and finding more time for him is going to be a key priority for me," said Mosley. "And I know that as a defensive coach, there’s no way for me to look around it… We talked about doing things in a five-game sample size and seeing what it looks like and where it can be and what we can do, but again, high priority to make sure that we continue to see Herb on the floor more." While Mosley may want to look at five-game sample sizes, Jones has played more than 8,800 minutes in his career. According to Cleaning the Glass, the Pelicans have had better offensive and defensive results with Jones on the floor every season of his career. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e2/a2/e2a2390f-5be7-44d5-89e3-6f2eb05860ea/content/images/2026/10/image-8.png) As the Pelicans stare down the barrel of a fourth straight loss, they cannot afford to ignore the lineup lessons of the past. Similarly, across more than 3,800 minutes, Jones and Murphy have been a winning combination, but have played only eight minutes together this season. Multiple league sources indicate teams are monitoring Jones' situation and could pursue him if the Pelicans asking price changes. A recent video of Jones and Dumars speaking at practice has added to the speculation about his future. > Interesting 🤨 > > WDSU video from Pelicans practice Monday, Oct. 26 > > NOLA Executive Vice President Joe Dumars and forward Herb Jones after the workout. > > Herb is not starting or closing games and through the first three games (0-3) he's averaging a career low 17 minutes per game. [pic.twitter.com/u8ak2q9RBh](https://t.co/u8ak2q9RBh?ref=intheno.net) > > — Fletcher Mackel (@FletcherWDSU) [October 26, 2026](https://x.com/FletcherWDSU/status/2114867367465423178?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=intheno.net) League sources say the Pelicans have held firm at an asking price near two first-round picks, though no team has met that figure. Many in the league believe Jones' value will continue to go down if his minutes continue to be sporadic. Jones' contract is also slated to jump next year from $14.9 million to $20.8 million. Nevertheless, several playoff teams view Jones as a valuable cultural and basketball fit. Jones is not the only veteran whose future in New Orleans is uncertain. Sources say Jordan Poole has told the Pelicans he would be open to opportunities elsewhere. His preference raises a broader question about how many of the team's veterans see their long-term future in New Orleans. Poole has also recorded more minutes than Jones in the last two contests. Teams have also continued to call on Pelicans center Yves Missi, and sources say the Golden State Warriors have recently made inquiry. The Pelicans, like with Jones, continue to rebuff offers, which have mostly been based around second round picks. Mosley is a big advocate of Missi and wants the young center to be the focal point of the Pelicans defense. Missi is currently out with a left knee bone bruise that he sustained in Utah.