New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Herbert Jones played only the first half against Washington on Monday, exiting with a lower back contusion. He took a hard fall and initially tried to play through it, but Jones was unable to take the court after the halftime break. He finished the clash with five points and one steal in 13 minutes. It was a quiet night for Jones, but he has been a great asset in general for the Pelicans and fantasy managers alike, averaging 10.0 points with 3.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.5 steals. Dyson Daniels started the second half in his replacement but didn't really have an impact. It's currently unknown if the injury affects Jones' long-term availability.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (conditioning) is expected to suit up for Saturday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The 24-year-old was cleared to play on Friday, but ended up sitting out of the contest. It sounds like Jones was still struggling with his conditioning, but will play on Saturday without limitations. His return should push Naji Marshall back to the bench, which means he won't be as appealing of a streaming option anymore.

New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Herbert Jones (conditioning) will be back from a two-game absence on Friday against Philadelphia. He was forced to sit out a pair of games after catching COVID-19, but Jones is now good to go again, although it remains to be seen if he will be able to assume his normal role in the rotation. Jones was declared available for the contest only after the warmups and he might not be able to play his usual minutes. The 24-year-old has been a really good all-around asset for fantasy managers this season, averaging 10.5 points with 3.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Indiana Pacers. He has played in the last six games, but will sit this one out due to health and safety protocols. The Pelicans could be shorthanded here with Dyson Daniels (illness) questionable to suit up on Monday. Trey Murphy III and Naji Marshall would benefit the most for Monday's game. Between the two, Murphy is the much more reliable streaming option.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (ankle) received the probable status for Tuesday's contest against the Utah Jazz. He's missed five consecutive games since spraining his ankle against the Toronto Raptors on November 30th. While Brandon Ingram remains out, the Pelicans will welcome back any firepower to keep their seven-game winning streak alive. Jones will likely be a good starting option due to the fact that Ingram's minutes are still up for grabs.

New Orleans Pelicans forwards Brandon Ingram (toe) and Herbert Jones (ankle) are hopefully going to be able to return at some point during the road trip, according to head coach Willie Green. Ingram has been sidelined since November 25th, while Jones has been out since November 30th with a left ankle sprain. In their absence, Dyson Daniels and Trey Murphy III have benefited the most with Ingram and Jones out. Both players should be reliable streaming options for the time being. Murphy should be able to continue carrying value once Ingram does return.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (ankle) has officially been listed as out for the team's game against the Detroit Pistons. He was previously listed as doubtful, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that he did end up being marked out for the game. Dyson Daniels will likely receive another start, but he wouldn't be too trustworthy of a streaming option. Players like Jose Alvarado or Trey Murphy III would be better options.

New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Herbert Jones (ankle) is considered doubtful for Wednesday's matchup against Detroit. The 24-year-old sprained his left ankle in a game last week and it looks likely that he is forced to miss a third consecutive game. Jones has been enjoying a solid campaign, averaging 10.6 points per game with 3.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals. Dyson Daniels has made his first two career starts in Jones' absence, but he has struggled to make a mark and won't likely be a great fantasy option. Jose Alvarado, Trey Murphy III and Naji Marshall look much more attractive, especially with the team dealing with a few other injuries as well.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (ankle) is out again on Sunday against Denver. The 24-year-old missed the team's previous game because of a sprained left ankle, so his next chance to see action will come on Wednesday versus Detroit. With Brandon Ingram (toe) sitting as well, Trey Murphy III should continue to roll with the starting unit. Murphy has averaged 15 points in his 10 starts on the year, so he's worth a start in all fantasy formats. Dyson Daniels, who had five rebounds, four points, and three assists in 32 minutes against the Spurs on Friday, should also remain on the floor more than usual.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (ankle) was forced to exit early during Wednesday's game against the Toronto Raptors. The young forward injured his ankle early in the third quarter. He landed on his ankle awkwardly, but was able to leave the court under his own power. The X-rays on his ankle came back negative, which hopefully means Jones won't miss significant time. Dyson Daniels and Garrett Temple would benefit the most, assuming Jones does miss time. Between the two, Daniels has more upside, but is only worth considering in deep leagues.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (knee) won't suit up for Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. He underwent an MRI on Sunday, which showed no structural damage. He remains day-to-day with a right knee hyperextension, so it's uncertain if he'll suit up for their next game. Trey Murphy III and Naji Marshall will get a boost in playing time with Jones sitting out. Both players could be worth looking at as deep league streaming options on Wednesday.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (knee) underwent an MRI following Sunday's contest. The MRI showed no structural damage in his right knee. The team is considering Jones questionable for Tuesday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. The 24-year-old hasn't brought much to the table through three games, but fantasy managers should remain patient with him. It's early in the season, so there's a chance he gets more playing time soon. Regardless, it sounds like Jones has avoided serious injury and should be back on the court soon.

It's funny that every year at the NBA Draft, once the end of the guaranteed money and live appearances arrives at the end of the first round, everybody tunes out and refers to the 60th pick as "Mr. Irrelevant." That's not very accurate though, is it? Speaking historically, the title of "Mr. Irrelevant" could just as easily be applied to each pick in the draft, as organizations differ greatly in their evaluation of talent and their own needs, particularly in a year without the NCAA tournament. The nickname just doesn't reflect how basketball works anymore. Executives strategically stockpile second-round draft picks for the less burdensome financial obligations, and organizations in rebuilding mode get super creative to field a respectable team on a budget.Particularly in the NBA where worldwide talent is plentiful and positional lines continue to fade, opportunity is everything: in the right situation, the right under-the-radar player can make an immediate, poignant statement. With professional development leagues for 16-18-year-olds, an ever-expanding set of domestic/international opportunities due to the sheer growth of basketball, and widespread NIL rights for college athletes, players of all levels and localities are starting to get their due exposure and now have enough freedom to hone their skills in a place, and at a pace, that fits best with their path to the NBA.Plus, I am inherently skeptical and distrusting of scouting from the high school level to pre-Draft. That's why in this annual article, I tend to favor overlooked college players (love the mid-majors/non-power conferences) with either well-rounded, polished games, or specific statistical specialties.We are going to discuss a handful of 2022 second-round picks and undrafted free agent signees who, given their individual skillsets and circumstances, warrant the attention of Fantasy Basketball Managers as potential high-impact rookies for the 2022-23 campaign who can quietly be acquired on clearance once they start showing signs of emergence. ... [More]

It's funny that every year at the NBA Draft, once the end of the guaranteed money and live appearances arrives at the end of the first round, everybody tunes out and refers to the 60th pick as "Mr. Irrelevant." That's not very accurate though, is it? Speaking historically, the title of "Mr. Irrelevant" could just as easily be applied to each pick in the draft, as organizations differ greatly in their evaluation of talent and their own needs, particularly in a year without the NCAA tournament. The nickname just doesn't reflect how basketball works anymore. Executives strategically stockpile second-round draft picks for the less burdensome financial obligations, and organizations in rebuilding mode get super creative to field a respectable team on a budget.Particularly in the NBA where worldwide talent is plentiful and positional lines continue to fade, opportunity is everything: in the right situation, the right under-the-radar player can make an immediate, poignant statement. With professional development leagues for 16-18-year-olds, an ever-expanding set of domestic/international opportunities due to the sheer growth of basketball, and widespread NIL rights for college athletes, players of all levels and localities are starting to get their due exposure and now have enough freedom to hone their skills in a place, and at a pace that fits best with their path to the NBA.Plus, I am inherently skeptical and distrusting of scouting from the high school level to pre-Draft. That's why in this annual article, I tend to favor overlooked college players (love the mid-majors/non-power conferences) with either well-rounded, polished games, or specific statistical specialties.We are going to discuss a handful of 2022 second-round picks and undrafted free agent (UDFA) signees who, given their individual skillsets and circumstances, warrant the attention of Fantasy Basketball Managers as potential high-impact rookies for the 2022-23 campaign who can quietly be acquired on clearance once they start showing signs of emergence.... [More]

It's funny that every year at the NBA Draft, once the end of the guaranteed money and live appearances arrives at the end of the first round, everybody tunes out and refers to the 60th pick as "Mr. Irrelevant." That's not very accurate though, is it? Speaking historically, the title of "Mr. Irrelevant" could just as easily be applied to each pick in the draft, as organizations differ greatly in their evaluation of talent and their own needs, particularly in a year without the NCAA tournament. The nickname just doesn't reflect how basketball works anymore. Executives strategically stockpile second-round draft picks for the less burdensome financial obligations, and organizations in rebuilding mode get super creative to field a respectable team on a budget.Particularly in the NBA where worldwide talent is plentiful and positional lines continue to fade, opportunity is everything: in the right situation, the right under-the-radar player can make an immediate, poignant statement. With professional development leagues for 16-18-year-olds, an ever-expanding set of domestic/international opportunities due to the sheer growth of basketball, and widespread NIL rights for college athletes, players of all levels and localities are starting to get their due exposure and now have enough freedom to hone their skills in a place, and at a pace, that fits best with their path to the NBA.Plus, I am inherently skeptical and distrusting of scouting from the high school level to pre-Draft. That's why in this annual article, I tend to favor overlooked college players (love the mid-majors/non-power conferences) with either well-rounded, polished games, or specific statistical specialties.We are going to discuss a handful of 2022 second-round picks and undrafted free agent signees who, given their individual skillsets and circumstances, warrant the attention of Fantasy Basketball Managers as potential high-impact rookies for the 2022-23 campaign who can quietly be acquired on clearance once they start showing signs of emergence. ... [More]

New Orleans Pelicans small forward Herbert Jones led the offense in Tuesday's win over Cleveland, scoring a career-high 26 points on 10-for-18 shooting. He was 2-for-4 from behind the arc and 4-for-4 at the line, taking over the scoring from Brandon Ingram (Achilles). Jones was a beast on the defensive end as well with three blocks, and he also managed to pick up seven rebounds and three assists with zero turnovers in 36 minutes. The Alabama product has started to make noise this month, and whilst his scoring numbers are very inconsistent, Jones enjoys putting in a shift defensively, having swatted away at least one shot in 13 straight games.