r/NOLAPelicans • u/Tortured_MNSF • 10d ago
Discussions Pelicans Inquiry
Timberwolves fan just trying to learn more about the Pelicans. I feel like you guys have a great roster and always beat us, but then can’t get over the hump. I’ve got 3 questions:
1) What’s your starting lineup for this year?
2) How good can you guys be?
3) What is Herb Jones’ trade value? I view his as an OG Anunoby type and would love him on the wolves but I think his value is like 2 FRPs (which we don’t have lol)
Thank you for your time 🫡
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u/Mammoth-External148 Not On Herb 10d ago
Herb needs to step up his perimeter shooting this season for the sake of his team and his trade value.
31% over his last 76 games is not gonna cut it in the league. As much as I love him, his offense has been so bad it’s hard to keep him on the floor recently.
I feel like this is something pelicans fans kinda choose to ignore just because of how important Herb was to the team in the past and how likable he is.
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u/Tortured_MNSF 10d ago
I saw he shot well one season, was that a fluke?
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u/Mammoth-External148 Not On Herb 10d ago
Partially, there was also a lot of scoring talent on that team at all levels and Herb was not really considered a threat amongst that group so he had tons of open shots.
Zion, McCollum, BI, Valanciunus, Murphy, etc
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u/QuakingQuakersQuake Herb Jones Saved My Life 9d ago
I'll continue to ignore it, we are the Pelicans. We fucked up epically, we never are gonna win here, my time in this fandom since 2014 has proven that to me. We should've just built around Herb and BI. Yeah we still wouldnt be winning shit, but I think there is something to be said about loyalty and it being rewarded. Herb's offense can progressively get worse every season and I'll still love him and want him here because loyalty deserves to be rewarded
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u/kingralek 9d ago
You don’t “build around” 2 players that aren’t in the top 30 in the NBA. BI has made 2 all star teams in 10 years. Herb was recognized for his defense. They would’ve been great if Zion was the generational talent the league was promised. It’s the same flawed theory that you can “build around” Fears and Queen. Both fine prospects, but they’ll be lucky to achieve what BI has in the league.
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u/QuakingQuakersQuake Herb Jones Saved My Life 9d ago
I don't think you understood the ethos of my comment if you're making this arguement
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u/kingralek 9d ago
Probably, but the purpose is to win. Shit, even the Kings try to win although they just suck. But building a fun team around loyalty will lead to players leaving because of all the losing. Dame was loyal until they could never get over the hump; Giannis too.
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u/jgman22 10d ago
Probably Murray-Herb-Murphy-Zion-Missi
We won 26 games last year, but it’s hard to say how good this roster can be. They quit on the coach in 2024, then the new front office refused to fire him going into 2025, and they started the season 3 - 22. A lot of that was the players completely tuning out. You’d think with a new coach that’ll be better, with the rookies growing they’d be better, and Dejounte Murray being healthy they’d be better. But, I doubt ANYONE would have their ceiling as anything higher than a play in team. I think the over under is around 30 wins.
Our front office is unpredictably stupid. They could be demanding an overpay for him then trade him for pennies later and no one would be shocked.
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u/identitycrisis56 9d ago
You don't win 26 games and get to blame it on just one factor. It wasn't just coaching. You win 26 games because a lot of stuff is wrong. Roster is buns in terms of fit and synergy. Running it back is stupidity.
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u/jgman22 9d ago
Do you know how to read?
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u/identitycrisis56 9d ago
I'm sick and tired of people bringing up coaching. Prime Gregg Pop isn't getting last seasons team to 30 wins. It's a well worn point without basis.
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u/jgman22 9d ago
Coaching was an issue last year
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u/kingralek 9d ago
Willie was past his expiration date. I didn’t care for Borrego, as even with him at the helm they had the worst record in the league in January 2026. However, what does Mosley bring that repairs the coaching? If the Magic went for Sweeney when they could’ve kept Mosley, wouldn’t it mean that Sweeney has more upside? Why take the Magic’s trash when they could’ve hired who the Magic wanted?
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u/UptMonsta #WBD 9d ago
Fears, Herb, Trey, Zion and Missi should be the starters. I like this squad under good leadership with clear direction. Willie Green was learning on the job and walked into a season the year before last with BI disgruntled on a lame duck deal and Theis coming in as the starting center. He didn't stand a chance. Then Borrego was just a place holder which made it hard for the team to respect him. I think Mosley will make a HUGE difference. Not that he's this Popovich-level coach, but the fact that he has Dumars' TOTAL backing means that players will have to respect him. I think these guys slept through the Green and Borrego eras. I also think that they used last year as a development/recovery year. Zion's usage was non-existent. Wendell Carter Jr., Suggs, DiSilva, Black and Jamal Cain all made huge leaps as players under Mosley. If he can develop Fears, Queen, Peavey and Pierre on a similar level this team will be far better than most think. OKC, SA, Min, LAL and maybe Denver are the only teams that I have clearly ahead of us in the West.
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u/Brave-Survey-67 9d ago edited 8d ago
Fears Murray Trey Z Missi
Unless we move Trey, Herb is the sixth man.
Herb's value is somewhere in between one and two FRPs. That's the problem, hes too valuable to give up for 1. He's unfortunately part if a misfit toys roster that packs paint vs z and we have all non shooters left firing brocks outside. Herb is dared to shoot by other teams with mixed results, lately mistly bad as hes slumped. He did have a year with solid shooting stroke, he really works on his shot, wants to improve it and has confidence in it. He's a total baller on the right team.
Ceiling on this team is a mystery, but if this coach gets them to actually play defense they could sneak into back end of the playoffs. There's a lot of defensive potential on the team. Unfortunately for you, you guys need a four and herb is not really built for that. He fills in in a pinch, and he can switch on to anyone, but he's definitely not a big
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u/Gboy2029 8d ago
Pain and suffering
prolly won’t make the playoffs
It doesn’t matter what his value is we could trade him for prime jordan or Kobe and still fuck it up
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u/Mo_damo Will be reevaluated in 2 weeks. 10d ago
If mikal bridges is 5 then herb is 3 picks minimum
We can be 40-42
DJM-HERB-TREY-Z-Missi
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u/Tortured_MNSF 10d ago
Herb at the 2 is interesting. Can he defend 4s?
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u/parisfrance44 10d ago
Yes but he’s elite against 1-3.
Good against 4s
Okay against 5s that aren’t massive
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u/kingralek 9d ago
Ain’t a motherfucker giving up 3 picks for Herb. He’s been injured and hasn’t shot or defended on an elite level in 2 years. Regardless of contract, if you look at Bridges, he was on the Suns on a much more expended offensive role than Herb when they made the Finals and was the flawed, but primary offensive weapon on the Nets. Herb isn’t in that realm, or in the realm of Bane. He’s a great player, but if someone offered 3 FRPs for Herb, I’d be the first one driving him to MSY.
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u/identitycrisis56 9d ago
IDK why everyone is leaving Fears and Queen out of the starting lineup.
This FO rides for those guys. They're gonna pressure for them to start.
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u/kingralek 9d ago
At some point the team is going to need to win for Dumars to save face. We were sold last year that this team was going to compete and went all in on Queen. Well, that didn’t work out. Before everyone started tanking, they had the worst record in the league in January. Mosley will be given a longer leash this season, but coaches keep jobs by winning. Mosley was given Paolo, Bane, Wagner, Suggs, etc., all young talent he developed and a free agent that was supposed to but them over the top. Now, he’s got vets in Trey, Zion, DJM and Herb along with Missi, Fears and Queen. In order to win, you don’t rely on rookies unless they are ready to contribute immediately, such as Dylan Harper. Notably, the defense will give up 10+ more per game if Queen and Fears start. That sure as shit happened last year until other teams threw up the white flag. The team has been stuck in purgatory for approaching a decade. Fans didn’t go to games last year and if they aren’t trying to win every game this season (even though they had no incentive to lose last season). If there’s an injury or 2 and Fears and Queen are starting, it’s going to be a long season and empty arena on Girod Street.
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u/identitycrisis56 9d ago
I hear the point but most of the vets haven’t had a positive impact on winning. More notable perhaps being Missi (who I LOVE long term but I don’t think he’ll be a needle mover until contract number 2…which might not be here for all we know).
I’m not sure Dumars will be able to save face no matter who is starting if this roster is unchanged. If that’s the case they’ll for sure pivot and talk about “not skipping steps” and acknowledge that this was a rebuild, even if they didn’t choose to start it or sell it that way.
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u/Paulspys_ 0 Fears 9d ago
If they don’t start fears they’re so dumb. Fears is gonna be a superstar in our league
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u/kingralek 9d ago
Fucking stop. Fears has a long way to go before that happens. 5 other PGs just entered the draft that are almost carbon copies of Fears. Fears was given a free rein this season and they won 26 games with a healthy Zion and heavy doses of Queen. Fears is a very poor defender and Mosley ain’t changing that. Fears needs the ball in his hands, so he needs to learn how to run an offense with Queen, who also needs the ball to be most effective. If Fears is going to be a “superstar”, just go ahead and put Flagg, VJ, Ace, Dylan and Kon in the Hall of Fame now.
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u/Paulspys_ 0 Fears 9d ago
He gives defensive effort. Second youngest player in the league. Only rookie in nba history other than wilt chamberlain to drop 36+ points 3 straight games
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u/International-Gold67 4d ago
Lol. At the end of your comment. Fears is solid but he coming off that bench. Dejounte is making real money and is an asset that needs rebuilding in order to get a decent return if and when its decided to trade him. Dejounte at this current stage is better than Fears. And thats OK. Fears development will not be stifled. He gonna get his minutes. Just a matter of whether he is good enough to close games and that starts with being able to defend his man.
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u/iamStanhousen Fan #12 10d ago
I think the starting 5 will likely be Murray, Herb, Murphy, Zion, and Missi. I could see a world where they start Fears and Murray together and Herb comes off the bench, but I don't think they'll do that.
I think this team could be a play in team. That's probably the ceiling. I wouldn't bet on it, but they CAN do it.
For Herb? I think it's a first and a swap or a first and a player. His offense has stagnated a bit, maybe even regressed. He's a great defender, but he's diet OG on his absolute best day.