Dumars had a talk with Herb after practice today

“Please get me the frick out of here”

“Herb we’re working on it but your value isn’t quite low enough to sell yet. We’ll continue to tank it for a few more months”

The best advice he could’ve given Herb was to grow his fro out.

Other than that, it was nonsense Joe was spewing.

Need to put money on whatever team he goes to because when we trade it’s a good chance they win a championship

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Need to put money on whatever team he goes to because when we trade it’s a good chance they win a championship

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We’re the farm system to sell good assets cheap to help others win.

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We’ll continue to tank it for a few more months”

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Point of order,

If you are incapable of winning is it really "tanking"?

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I really do like Herb. Sadly, we’re wasting him and even worse is that we are going to trade him to a contender where he is going to be a key piece…..and we will probably get shite return bc our FO is inept….

Insert the gif of the guy rubbing his hands and licking his lips (Sam Presti about to go in dry on ole Joe)

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I don't understand how a coach that supposedly knows defense is not playing him. Poole has more minutes that him. Amazing.

Then you'd really have no spacing and shooting threat.

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I think Herb is a better all around player than Trey. I’m not a huge fan of either player but I’d rather Herb in the finishing 5 over Trey.

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I'm obviously a fan of Herb...but I think I'd rather put it this way when comparing the "worth" of Herb to Trey.

Just about every seriously contending team that I can think of...would prefer to add Herb to their roster...instead of Trey. They tend to have plenty of scorers and not enough "D",,,especially come playoff time...and this is before considering Trey's extra cost to acquire in a trade AND his salary compared to Herb's.

Bottom line...I'm not saying Herb is "better" than Trey...just saying most contenders would prefer adding Herb...all things considered. Of course, I COULD...be wrong.

chatgpt

I think Joe Dumars was probably reassuring Herb Jones about his role with the Pelicans and explaining why his minutes have been reduced so dramatically.

The timing of that conversation is what makes it particularly interesting.

Through the Pelicans' first three games, Herb has averaged only 17 minutes per game, despite previously averaging nearly 30 minutes throughout his career. He's also been coming off the bench and sitting during critical fourth-quarter possessions.

My three theories, in order of likelihood

1. Dumars is reassuring Herb that he's still important to the organization. (60%)

Something along the lines of:

“Herb, I know this isn't the role you're accustomed to. We still value you tremendously. We're trying some different combinations, and I don't want you thinking we've lost confidence in you.”

This makes the most sense to me. Herb is a respected veteran, and Dumars probably doesn't want him becoming frustrated with his situation.

2. Dumars is discussing Herb's concerns about playing time. (30%)

I wouldn't be surprised if Herb has privately expressed some frustration.

Think about it: He's one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, yet the Pelicans are struggling defensively while he's sitting on the bench.

Coach Mosley has already acknowledged having conversations with Herb about his minutes and praised how professionally Herb has handled them.

Dumars might be stepping in to make sure everyone is on the same page.

3. Dumars is preparing Herb for a potential trade. (10%)

This is the possibility I find most intriguing, although I wouldn't jump to that conclusion.

Herb has been mentioned in trade speculation, and he's one of the Pelicans' more valuable potential trade assets.

However, I don't think Dumars would ordinarily discuss a potential trade with Herb in an open practice setting where reporters could observe them.

Here's what stands out to me

Why is the president of basketball operations personally having this conversation instead of leaving it to Jamahl Mosley?

That's the interesting part.

When a player is unhappy about minutes, that's typically something the head coach handles. When the front-office executive gets involved, it can suggest that the organization considers the situation important enough to address personally.

That doesn't necessarily mean Herb is being traded.

My suspicion is that Dumars recognizes Herb isn't happy with his reduced role and wants to prevent the situation from deteriorating.

And frankly, I wouldn't blame Herb for being frustrated.

One thing I'd be particularly interested in: Did Dumars approach Herb, or did Herb approach Dumars? That could change how I'd interpret the entire conversation.

Those percentages are simply my subjective guesses, not information from inside the organization.