The Memphis Grizzlies possessed one of the league's best defenses in recent years, but they showed a significant decline in recent months. The immediate solution for the Grizzlies would be to add more quality perimeter defenders to their rotation. Although many teams will be interested, the Grizzlies would be wise to explore a trade for Herb Jones.
The New Orleans Pelicans are coming off a 21-61 season, and they own the #7 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Their struggles were mainly injury-related, with the team being amongst the highest in total games missed and cash total per day missed. While the Pelicans could've entered the 2025-26 season with their current core, it appears that they will do the exact opposite. Kevin O'Connor of Yahoo Sports said that there are no untouchables on the Pelicans roster. If this holds, the Grizzlies have an exciting opportunity to join the Herb Jones sweepstakes.
Herb Jones is the exact defensive playmaker Memphis needs
The Grizzlies were bottom 10 in multiple key defensive stats, such as points per game, three-point makes per game, and total field goal attempts faced. Trading Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia at the trade deadline and losing Jaylen Wells to a season-ending injury led to the Grizzlies lacking defensive playmakers. Adding a high-impact wing defender such as Herb Jones would allow the Grizzlies to create more turnovers and guard the perimeter more effectively.
During the 2023-24 season, Herb Jones was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team and finished 5th in the Defensive Player of the Year race. Jones was one of four players who had at least 100 steals and 60 blocks and also finished top 5 in contested three-point shots. Herb Jones also averaged 11 points per game on an impressive 49.8-41.8-86.7 shooting split, showing significant growth as a shooter. The Pelicans finished top 10 in defensive rating (6th) and points allowed per game (8th), ultimately finishing 49-33 and making the playoffs.
However, the 2024-25 season proved to be an uneven one for Herb Jones. Jones only appeared in 20 games and ended up needing a season-ending right rotator cuff repair in February. Although Jones was averaging career highs of 3.3 assists and 2.4 combined steals and blocks (stocks) per game, he dealt with regression as a shooter. He shot 43.6% from the field and 30.6% from three, both career lows.
While his dip in shooting efficiency is concerning, this year's sample size likely isn't a strong indicator of how Jones would shoot with his new team. Herb Jones would give the Memphis Grizzlies elite defensive playmaking while still being a capable offensive threat. Pairing Jones with another great wing defender like Jaylen Wells will significantly boost the defensive upside of the Grizzlies.
What would a trade package for Herb Jones look like?
Herb Jones has two years and $28.8M left on his current deal, making his deal one of high demand. Recently, Joe Mullinax proposed a trade that would send Herb Jones to Memphis. The Grizzlies would send Brandon Clarke, a 2027 protected first, and a 2029 first-round pick swap to New Orleans for Herb Jones. However, there is a strong possibility that a third team will enter any possible Herb Jones deal. It also remains to be seen if the Pelicans would ask for the Grizzlies' 2026 first-round pick or another young player.
Although many teams will pursue Herb Jones, this is a golden opportunity for Memphis to improve its defense. Adding Herb Jones will increase the Grizzlies' defensive upside and bring them closer to being a championship-level team.