Herb Jones Extends with Pelicans for $68 Million

Herb Jones, considered one of the NBA's elite defenders, has signed a three-year, $68 million contract extension with the New Orleans Pelicans, extending his deal to five years and $97 million with a player option for the 2029-30 season. Selected 35th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, Jones has become an All-Defensive First Team player and is recognized for his top-10 isolation defense and impressive career totals of over 350 steals and 150 blocks. His 2024-25 season was limited to 20 games due to a shoulder injury, but he averaged a career-high 11 points and shot 41.8% from three in 2023-24. The Pelicans' active offseason has included hiring Joe Dumars as executive vice president and acquiring Jordan Poole, reinforcing their efforts to build a competitive roster. Young stars such as Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III are central to the team's future plans. Jones’ progression from a second-round pick to a defensive cornerstone highlights his importance to the franchise.