Pelicans Sign Herb Jones to Three-Year $68M Extension

The New Orleans Pelicans have secured forward Herb Jones with a three-year, $68 million contract extension, highlighting his importance to the team's future despite recent injury setbacks. Joe Dumars, the team's head of basketball operations, praised Jones for his toughness, competitiveness, and continuous improvement, emphasizing the Pelicans' excitement about keeping him long-term. Jones, known for his elite perimeter defense and steady offensive development, has accumulated impressive defensive stats, including 375 steals and 173 blocked shots over four NBA seasons, a feat matched by only a handful of players, including recent MVPs. Despite playing fewer minutes than his peers, Jones' defensive impact places him among an elite group of young NBA players. The Pelicans' proactive move to extend Jones ahead of free agency underscores their confidence in his value to the team's core. This contract extension reflects the franchise's commitment to nurturing Jones as a key contributor moving forward.