NBA Rumors: Pelicans' Herb Jones Could Be Starting Center Alongside Zion Williamson

Herb Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans could end up being the team's starting center this year alongside Zion Williamson in the frontcourt.

ESPN's Shams Charania had this to say during a Pat McAfee Show appearance on Thursday (h/t Pelicans Film Room).

"He's going to be a hybrid player," Charania said. "He's gonna play the 4 maybe some 5...I'm told Herb Jones is essentially going to serve as the starting center."

The 26-year-old Jones, who stands at 6'7" and 206 pounds, is entering his fourth NBA season. He averaged 11.0 points on 49.8 percent shooting, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals last year. Jones also landed on the NBA's All-Defensive First Team and finished fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting.

Jones starting at the 5 would signal a dramatic shift from what the Pels have done over the past three seasons, as 6'11" Jonas Valančiūnas patrolled the paint since joining the team in 2021.

But this team will have a new look in 2024-25. Dejounte Murray has joined the Pels via trade from the Atlanta Hawks and will run the point. C.J. McCollum and Brandon Ingram remain aboard and will handle shooting guard and small forward. Ingram will be the tallest Pelican in the starting lineup now at 6'8".

The Pels will still have some height in the depth chart, with rookie Yves Missi standing at 6'11". Veteran backup Daniel Theis, at 6'8", has also seen time at the 5 in the past.

But New Orleans is clearly going smaller now. However, Jones is an exceptional defensive player and can certainly hold his own. It'll be interesting to see how this new lineup shakes out, beginning Oct. 23 against the Chicago Bulls.