The New Orleans Pelicans may have tried to enact drastic change ahead of the 2024-25 NBA trade deadline, but it looks like the team wasn't able to shake all of its demons. They wound up trading away Brandon Ingram to the Toronto Raptors before he was able to make his return to the court, meaning that he had unknowingly suited up for the last time for the Pelicans two months ago, a fact that was also unbeknownst to the fans at the time.
There was a fear that the same fate would have fallen on several Pelicans, as the team reportedly made almost the entire roster available for trade. Ultimately, the team was able to get mostly healthy and only wound up making two trades, the other being a salary dump of Daniel Theis who was then waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder and subsequently signed to play in the EuroLeague.
Herb Jones was among a small group of young players that New Orleans had marked untouchable ahead of the deadline. Even though he wasn't traded, it appears that the Pelicans' faithful had also seen the last of him this season without knowing it. According to Executive Vice President David Griffin, Jones will likely be shut down for the rest of the league year with his torn labrum. He joins Dejounte Murray who was ruled out for the remainder of the season after tearing his Achilles in late January.
David Griffin says Herb Jones will likely be shut down for the rest of the season.
— Will Guillory (@WillGuillory) February 11, 2025
Pelicans injury report vs Sacramento Kings February 12, 2025
Questionable: CJ McCollum
CJ McCollum is currently listed as day-to-day due to personal reasons. He missed Monday night's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder because of the same unnamed condition.
Out: Herb Jones, Dejounte Murray, Brandon Boston Jr., and Kelly Olynyk
According to David Griffin, Brandon Boston Jr. is going to have his two-way contract converted into a standard NBA deal. The former second-round pick has earned it after impressing in his opportunities as a midseason addition for the Pelicans due to all of their early injuries. Unfortunately, he won't be making his debut as a standard player against the Kings, as he's been ruled out due to a minor ankle issue.
Kelly Olynyk came to New Orleans as part of the Brandon Ingram trade. Before the deal, he was with the Toronto Raptors since February 2024. Apparently, in that time he became a Canadian citizen, as he's been ruled out against Sacramento due to an issue with his work Visa, per The Athletic's Will Guillory.
Of all the various reasons that Pelicans players have had to miss games throughout this franchise's history, Olynyk's international legality might be a first for this team. Bruce Brown Jr., who actually joined the Raptors before Olynyk, is expected to be available.