The reports from Yahoo Sports, Kevin O'Connor, that no one on the Pelicans is untouchable, have led many to speculate that Herb Jones could be on the way out. Jones is not only a fan favorite but also one of the NBA's best defenders. The now 26-year-old has been the backbone of the Pelicans' defense since arriving in 2021, but many believe his time in Louisiana is coming to an end.
So this presents the question: Can the Pelicans' defense remain solid without Herb? Well, the numbers suggest not. Last season, in which Jones only appeared in 20 games, the Pels had the second-worst defense in the league. Well, in the two years prior, where Jones appeared in 66 and 76 games, they ranked in the top six both years. So, if the Pelicans are to move on from Jones, how can their defense stay afloat? Well, there's a guy named Keon Ellis who could help.
The next Herb?
Keon Ellis is a 25-year-old wing who is an absolute maniac defensively. I've never seen someone run and fight around screens harder than this guy; his incredible hands and reaction speed make him a steal and block machine. Standing 6'6 "with a 6'9" wingspan, Keon looks like he was built in a lab. This unbelievable length helped him average 1.5 steals per game and 0.8 blocks in 24.4 minutes a night last season.
The only issue is that he isn't an upcoming free agent and is under contract with the Sacramento Kings. That said, the Kings are expected to tear down their roster this summer and rebuild fully after trading De'Aaron Fox and finishing as the 11th seed out west last season. Even though Ellis is still somewhat young at 25, his play style only really holds real value on winning basketball teams. So the Kings could very likely trade him.
In this mock trade, the Pels would give up Jordan Hawkins, who is still only 23 and is a knockdown three-point shooter, and the Pacers' first-round pick in 2026. Although fans may not be happy to give up on J-Hawk, it's for the best if you get Ellis. Who actually shot better from 3 last year than Hawkins in 2024-25, as Ellis shot 43.3% from deep, and Hawks only shot 33.1%.
Keon was the backbone of the Kings' defense last season as they ranked 22nd in the NBA, and when looking at their personal, if it weren't for Keon, they would've been last. Ellis could do the same for the Pelicans' defense, but with their personnel, you'd probably be looking at minimum a top 12 defense if you brought in Keon. His ability to put constant pressure on the offensive player, forcing them into mistakes and turnover is special.
However, his offensive impact is where he separates himself from other top defensive players in the NBA. Since entering the league two seasons ago, Keon Ellis has turned into a dead-eye from deep. He converted 1.7 of his 4.0 three attempts a night in 2024-25. His ability to catch fire from deep would hold extreme value to the Pelicans, as they ranked in the bottom five in all three-point statistics last season.
With a reality that sees New Orleans moving on from Herb Jones. There is a clear replacement as the backbone of the Pelicans' defense, and his name is Keon Ellis.