NOLA is crumbling, and OKC should try to capitalize!
Chicago Bulls v New Orleans Pelicans
Chicago Bulls v New Orleans Pelicans | Jonathan Bachman/GettyImages
The NBA trade deadline is set to come February 6th, but negotiations are beginning to heat up throughout the league.
According to ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania, numerous contenders have been calling the New Orleans Pelicans about the availability of Herb Jones. If NOLA does wind up legitimately shopping the forward, then a massive bidding war would immediately erupt and the Thunder must be willing to flex their treasure chest of assets in such a situation.
Why New Orleans may trade Herb Jones?
The 2024-25 season has been a complete disaster so far for the Pelicans. They own a putrid 5-20 record, rank bottom three in both offensive and defensive rating, and already sit eight games back from the Play-In Tournament in a brutal Western Conference.
At this point, retooling the roster and securing a premier draft pick in the star-studded 2025 Draft seems to be their best option, especially since Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram are both sidelined for the foreseeable future due to injury.
Jones doesn’t necessarily need to be traded because he recently turned 26 years old and still fits a youth movement timeline. However, it may behoove New Orleans to sell high on Jones, a high-end role player, and receive a bountiful long-term package featuring first-rounders and promising young players.
Now, granted, it’s unlikely that Jones will actually be moved, but the Pelicans should not think of him as untouchable if they get a mammoth offer.
Why the Thunder should trade for Herb Jones?
Jones has a valid claim for the title of best non-big defender in the NBA.
He can guard nearly every position at an elite level and dominates on an island. Any defensive scheme would absorb him without missing a beat because of his absurd versatility.
Oklahoma City leads the league in defensive rating. Their guards and centers are set, but they could use another wing defender to pair with Jalen Williams.
Adding Jones would give the Thunder yet another terrifying chess piece to throw at opposing offenses and truly vault the team into “best defense in NBA history” talks.
Meanwhile, he’s a capable three-point shooter who does not compromise spacing and adds value as a transition scorer. Essentially, the Pelicans wing wouldn't be a complete offensive liability in the postseason.
Plus, acquiring Jones blocks other contenders, thus potentially removing the best Shai Gilgeous-Alexander defender on the planet from the Thunder’s path.
Overall, the fit is seamless, and he likely would turn OKC into the de facto championship favorites -- Yes, this means over Boston.
What could trading for Herb Jones cost the Thunder?
Every team desperately wants a guy like Herb Jones, and the Pelicans have no real incentive to trade him. That’s a recipe for an enormous trade offer.
A rough estimate would be a promising young player along with perhaps three or four first-round picks. If that seems like a massive overpay, it mustn't be understated that he’s a defensive demon who can shoot from deep and is also on a bargain contract through the 2027 season.
On a list of championship glue guys, Jones sits near the top.
The Thunder could definitely afford the asset hit.
Dangling Nikola Topic, Ousmane Dieng, and a handful of first-round picks may be just enough to entice New Orleans to part ways with Jones.
If Oklahoma City finds a way to secure the forward's services, it would be over for any offense that enters their path.
Jones is worth the hefty price tag!