The New Orleans Pelicans announced that forward Herb Jones has been diagnosed with a posterior labrum tear in his right shoulder. An MRI taken yesterday confirmed the injury. Jones will be out indefinitely and further updates will be appropriately provided.
Drafted 35th overall by New Orleans in the 2021 NBA Draft, Jones has appeared in 240 games (231 starts) for the Pelicans, holding averages of 10.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 30.2 minutes per contest. This season, Jones appeared in 20 games (all starts) with averages of 10.3 points, 3.9 rebound and 3.3 assists in 32.4 minutes per game.
The Memphis Grizzlies have signed guard Zyon Pullin to a two-way contract. In a related move, the Grizzlies waived center Colin Castleton.
Pullin (6-4, 206) has started all six of his regular season appearances for the NBA G League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce and has averaged 24.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.3 steals in 38.3 minutes while shooting 53.5 percent from the field and 42.4 percent from 3-point range. Pullin, who ranks fifth in the NBA G League in scoring and fourth in assists during the regular season, recorded a triple-double with 37 points (14-17 FG), 12 rebounds and 11 assists in a season-opening victory over the Valley Suns on December 30.
Unselected in the 2024 NBA Draft, Pullin signed a two-way contract with the Miami Heat on July 1 and was waived on July 24. The 23-year-old, who also joined the Heat for 2024 training camp, was named to the 2023-24 All-SEC First Team after competing in 33 games (27 starts) and averaging 15.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 33.5 minutes as a graduate transfer at Florida last season.
Castleton (6-10, 250) appeared in 10 games as a reserve for the Grizzlies and averaged 1.4 points in 4.6 minutes after signing a two-way contract on October 30. The 24-year-old, who went unselected in the 2023 NBA Draft out of Florida, played 16 games for the Los Angeles Lakers as a rookie last season.
The Detroit Pistons have $14 million in cap space and are $44 million below the luxury tax, which they have intended to rent out to rival teams who either need to save money or to facilitate bigger trades. But with the Pistons in the playoff picture, sources say they are adjusting their strategy and will consider trades to upgrade their roster and for flexibility next season.
Cade Cunningham could be an All-Star this season and the team is significantly more competitive under J.B. Bickerstaff a year after they went 14-68 with a record-tying 28 straight losses.
The additions of competent veteran shooters like Tobias Harris and Tim Hardaway Jr. has also played a role in their improved play as Cunningham is now operating with more space.
Trajan Langdon is in his first season running the Pistons after replacing Troy Weaver.
