Herb Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans might have a new job this season, possibly starting at center with Zion Williamson. Shams Charania from ESPN shared on the Pat McAfee Show that there is a possibility of Jones playing in both power forward and center positions. This decision marks a notable change in the Pelicans’ approach for the upcoming 2024-25 season.
Jones’ Defensive Skills Make an Impact
Herb Jones, who stands at 6’7″ and weighs 206 pounds, is highly respected for his defensive skills. In the previous season, his stats included averaging 11.0 points while shooting at 49.8%, as well as grabbing 3.6 rebounds and recording 1.4 steals per game. He made it onto the NBA’s All-Defensive First Team and ranked fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting because of his hard work. Despite being smaller than typical center players, Jones’ strong defensive abilities could make him a significant force in the key.
New Faces and Familiar Names in the Lineup
There have been significant changes to the Pelicans’ lineup as Dejounte Murray was traded from the Atlanta Hawks to take over point guard responsibilities. C.J. McCollum and Brandon Ingram will persist in their positions as shooting guard and small forward. Standing at 6’8″, Ingram will become the tallest player in the Pelicans’ starting lineup.
A Shift Toward a Smaller, Faster Team
New Orleans appears to be adopting a compact, more nimble lineup for the upcoming season. Despite having tall players like rookie Yves Missi at 6’11” and veteran Daniel Theis at 6’8″, the team seems to prioritize speed and versatility. Jones’ capacity to adjust to the center position will be crucial when the Pelicans start their season on October 23rd against the Chicago Bulls.
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