Lakers Linked To Herb Jones Trade Rumors

There might be a solution to the L.A. Lakers' defensive issues, according to an unnamed NBA scout: acquire New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones.

A long and lanky 6'7", 206-lb forward, Jones was a member of the 2023–24 NBA All-Defensive Team and has averaged 1.6 steals and nearly a block per game over the course of his five-year career. Capable of guarding multiple positions and not needing the ball to be effective, he'd be an ideal addition for a Lakers team built around Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves, one that's currently 13–4 and sitting second in the Western Conference.

Adding an elite defender like Jones could help push the Lakers from contenders to heavy favorites. While they have Rui Hachimura at the power forward spot, he's more of an offensive threat than a defensive one. The Lakers do have a great defensive-minded forward in Jarred Vanderbilt, but his offensive limitations make the 26-year-old nearly unplayable in the playoffs. Jones does everything that Vanderbilt does defensively, but he can actually shoot, hitting threes at a solid rate throughout his career.

“As currently constructed, the Lakers will get waxed by Denver, OKC, and Houston because they don’t have athletic defenders on the perimeter. They need a stout defender who can also hit threes. Herb fits that bill perfectly, and New Orleans is open for business,” the scout told LakersDaily.

The question is, what would New Orleans want in return for Jones? The Pelicans are the third-worst team in the league right now and need a rebuild. With a loaded draft class next summer, New Orleans will be without a first-round pick, making Jones an even more valuable trade chip. The Lakers' stock of future draft picks is pretty sparse, and the Pelicans are unlikely to give up their best defensive player unless they receive something significant in return.

If Lakers GM Rob Pelinka can figure out how to pull off this trade without gutting the team's depth, it could be a move that transforms the team into a legitimate championship contender. Jones might not be the flashiest name, but on a team filled with stars, sometimes the right role player is all that stands between a playoff exit and a championship run.