Herb Jones Trade Buzz Heats Up as Pelicans Top Bulls - But Fans Still Wonder What’s Next
The NBA trade rumor mill never sleeps - and right now, it’s got its sights set on New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones. With the 2025-26 season hitting its mid-December stride, fans are locked in, not just on the on-court action but on the off-court drama that always seems to swirl around this time of year. And Jones, a key defensive anchor for the Pelicans, finds himself in the middle of it all.
Recently, rumors began to circulate about the Los Angeles Lakers having interest in acquiring Jones. That buzz was enough to spark some playful trolling from a fan, who caught Jones on his way to the locker room and shouted, “Herb Jones, you are a Laker, my boi!”
The moment, captured on video and now making the rounds on social media, showed a visibly confused Jones reacting with a mix of disbelief and amusement - a classic “wait, what?” moment that fans quickly turned into viral fodder.
But while the fan banter may be lighthearted, the trade chatter is serious business. Reports have since indicated that the Pelicans aren't looking to deal Jones to the Lakers - at least not right now.
And given how important he is to their defensive schemes, that stance makes sense. Jones is one of those glue guys - the kind of player who doesn’t always fill up the stat sheet but makes winning plays, night in and night out.
That said, the Pelicans’ current position in the Western Conference standings - dead last, with a record of 5-22 - is putting pressure on the front office to make some kind of move. Whether that means reshuffling the roster or holding firm remains to be seen. But the noise around Jones is only getting louder.
On the court, New Orleans showed signs of life in their recent 114-104 win over the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. The Pelicans started slow, trailing by five after the first quarter, but found their rhythm in the second and took full control in the fourth to seal the victory.
Herb Jones logged 20 minutes in the win, finishing with 10 points, two rebounds, and an assist - a solid, if unspectacular, stat line. But again, it’s his defense and versatility that make him valuable, especially to a team like the Lakers, who are always looking to bolster their perimeter defense.
Zion Williamson came off the bench and gave the Pelicans a much-needed spark, pouring in 18 points along with six rebounds and two assists in 27 minutes. His presence continues to be a game-changer when he’s healthy and engaged - and in this one, he was both.
Trey Murphy III turned in a standout performance, notching a double-double with 20 points and 10 boards, plus a pair of assists. His ability to stretch the floor and contribute on the glass gave New Orleans a much-needed boost. Jeremiah Fears also made his presence felt, matching Murphy’s scoring with 20 of his own, while adding three assists and two rebounds.
Despite the win, the Pelicans still have an uphill climb ahead. Sitting at the bottom of the West with just five wins, the margin for error is slim. And while the locker room may be focused on the next game, the front office is undoubtedly weighing its options as the trade deadline creeps closer.
As for Herb Jones, he’s just trying to play ball - even if fans are already fitting him for purple and gold.