Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE by way of Getty Photographs
Herb Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans might grow to be the crew’s beginning middle this yr alongside Zion Williamson within the frontcourt.
ESPN’s Shams Charania mentioned this throughout a Pat McAfee Present look Thursday (h/t Pelicans movie show).
“He’s going to be a hybrid participant,” Charania mentioned. “He will play the 4, possibly the 5…I am instructed Herb Jones is mainly going to be the beginning middle.”
Jones, 26, who sits on 6’7″ and 206 kilosenters his fourth NBA season. He averaged 11.0 factors on 49.8 % taking pictures, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals final yr. Jones additionally made the NBA’s All-Defensive First Group and completed fifth in Defensive Participant of the Yr voting.
Jones beginning on the 5 would sign a dramatic change from what the Pels have performed over the previous three seasons, as 6’11” Jonas Valančiūnas has patrolled the paint since becoming a member of the crew in 2021.
However this crew can have a brand new look in 2024-25. Dejounte Murray joined the Pels by way of commerce with the Atlanta Hawks and can run the purpose. CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram stay on board and can deal with taking pictures and small ahead. Ingram will now be the tallest Pelican within the beginning lineup at 6’8”.
The Pels will nonetheless have some top on the depth chart, with rookie Yves Missi measuring 6’11”. Veteran backup Daniel Theis, at 6’8″, has additionally seen time on the 5 prior to now.
However New Orleans has clearly grow to be smaller now. Nevertheless, Jones is an distinctive defensive participant and might definitely maintain his personal. Will probably be fascinating to see how this new lineup evolves, beginning October 23 towards the Chicago Bulls.
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