New Orleans Pelicans Update: Player Number Changes and Roster Adjustments

The New Orleans Pelicans have announced several updates as they prepare for the upcoming NBA season. Notably, forward Herbert Jones will return to his high school roots by wearing the No. 2 jersey for his fourth NBA season. Jones made the switch after the Pelicans acquired Dejounte Murray, a former NBA All-Star from the Atlanta Hawks, who traditionally wears No. 5.

Jones commented on the change, stating, “Once I saw the trade happen, I knew we’d have to talk about it at some point. I wore No. 2 in high school, so when I found out No. 2 was available, I was like, you pretty much, I mean, you got it. I’m not really tripping about a jersey number.”

The Pelicans are set to begin their NBA preseason schedule on Monday with a home game against the Orlando Magic. “It’s going to be fun,” Jones remarked about the prospect of playing alongside Murray. “I know he loves to compete, and that’s pretty much, that checks all the boxes for me.”

Last season, New Orleans finished with a record of 49-33 but was subsequently swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA playoffs. In an effort to strengthen the team, the Pelicans have retained their top four scorers and introduced Murray, who had an average of 22.5 points per game in the 2023-24 season.

The team, however, parted ways with their leading rebounder and shot-blocker, Jonas Valanciunas, trading him to the Washington Wizards. This move necessitates strategic shifts, as Jones might find himself guarding larger opponents with the departure of Valanciunas.

Jones expressed his readiness to adapt, stating, “Whatever they need me to do, whoever they need me to guard, I have no problem with it. I’ll go out and do my best regardless of who the task is to guard.”

Additionally, the Pelicans have signed Daniel Theis, a veteran center, to bolster their lineup. At 6-foot-8, Theis matches Jones in height but exceeds him in weight, potentially offering more physical presence in the paint.

The New Orleans roster includes several other tall players, such as Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Karlo Matkovic, although potential playing time and impact remain to be seen. Training camp in Nashville has reportedly seen competitive play, with Jones noting the importance of team cohesion and learning to perform effectively, with or without a traditional big man present.

Last season, Jones earned All-NBA Defensive team honors and achieved personal career highs with a shooting percentage of .498 and free-throw percentage of .867. He has publicly stated his commitment to continued improvement in his skill set and leadership qualities.

Looking ahead, after completing a four-game preseason, the Pelicans will officially open the 2024-25 season with a matchup against the Chicago Bulls on October 23 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.