Los Angeles Lakers Land Perfect 3-and-D Piece in This Trade Proposal

The Los Angeles Lakers are probably one move away from true contender status. While their current roster looks good, and so does their record of 19–10, they don’t quite have the supporting talent to make Luka Doncic and LeBron James fully shine. 

That’s why the Lakers have been mentioned in tons of different trade rumors as the NBA trade deadline slowly approaches. If the Lakers could pick up some more role player support, that could help cover up their stars' defensive deficiencies. 

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed “1 Trade Every NBA Team Would Make If the Deadline Was Today,” and his Lakers trade idea would certainly make them a more dangerous team come playoff time. 

"The trade: Dalton Knecht, Maxi Kleber, and 2031 first-round pick to the New Orleans Pelicans for Herb Jones

This is, without question, a move the Lakers would make right now—if they could. Their seventh-ranked offense is ready to compete at the highest level, but their 21st-ranked defense is in dire need of a lockdown defender like Jones.

The question, then, is whether the Pelicans would play ball. And, to be honest, that's the kind of if that comes attached to all manners of good luck charms. Maybe it's posturing, but word is "New Orleans is not interested in moving Jones," per The Athletic's Dan Woike. Even if it was, Woike opined that it "almost certainly wouldn't engage" at the trade price the Purple and Gold are able to pay."

The Pelicans are probably going to hold onto Jones if this is the best price they can get for him. With Luka Doncic, the Lakers’ draft picks don’t look as valuable as they used to. Even by pushing the pick out to 2031, the Lakers just don’t have the assets to entice the Pelicans enough to make this trade happen.