The New Orleans Pelicans are starting to receive interest in two of their supporting role players: forward Herb Jones and guard CJ McCollum. During the offseason, New Orleans traded Dyson Daniels and two first-round picks to acquire Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks. The Pelicans might not be done with making changes just yet.
Pelicans Trade Rumors: CJ McCollum, Herb Jones Are Easier To Move Than Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson
Because of New Orleans’ injuries to star players like Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, rumors are mounting that the front office plans to hit the reset button and hope for the top pick in the 2025 NBA draft. Since the Pelicans are 5-20 and rank dead last in the Western Conference standings, 2024-25 is obviously a lost season at this point.
However, the No. 1 question now is, how much will the Pelicans gut their roster? Ingram is seeking a four-year, $200 million deal, and he’s currently making $36 million this season. Trading McCollum is a better option, considering his two-year extension carries a $30.7 million salary for 2025-26.
Then there’s Jones, who’s in the second year of a $53.8 million contract. The 26-year-old is earning $12.97 million this campaign and is slated to make $13.93 million in 2025-26. Ingram is on an expiring contract, while Williamson is only in the second season of a five-year, $197.23 million extension.
A deal is on the horizon for one other logical reason: New Orleans’ three All-Stars — Ingram, Williamson, and Murray — have yet to play together. In essence, the Pels trading away Jones and/or McCollum is more probable.
Jones Is Shooting A Career-Low 29.2% From Beyond The Arc, While McCollum Is Averaging 20.3 Points Per Game
Through seven games (all starts), Jones has averaged 10.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and career highs of 1.9 steals and 31.3 minutes per contest. The Alabama product is also shooting a career-best 51.8% from the field.
Having said that, Jones is shooting career lows of 29.2% from 3-point range and 66.7% at the foul line. He’s missed 18 contests due to a right shoulder strain and small low-grade partial thickness tear in his rotator cuff.
Meanwhile, a 33-year-old McCollum is still playing decent through 12 games (all starts), averaging 20.3 points, 3.8 boards, 3.9 assists, a career-best 1.3 steals, and 33.5 minutes per contest.
Despite missing 13 straight games with a right adductor strain from Oct. 30 through Nov. 22, the 12-year veteran recorded a season-high 30 points in a loss at Memphis on Nov. 29. He finished 11-of-19 (57.9%) shooting from the floor and drained three 3s.
The Pelicans host the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night.
