Lakers’ Interest in Herb Jones Highlights Their Hunt for a Two-Way Wing
The Los Angeles Lakers have made no secret of their desire to acquire a skilled two-way wing player, with New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones emerging as one of their primary targets. At 27 years old, Jones has established himself as a valuable defensive specialist who can contribute offensively as well. Through 19 games this season, he’s averaging 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 39 percent from the field and 33 percent from three-point range on 4.2 attempts per game. His defensive prowess combined with his developing offensive game makes him an attractive option for a Lakers team looking to bolster their roster for a championship push.
The Pelicans’ disappointing 5-22 start to the season has fueled speculation about potential trades, despite the organization beginning the year with championship aspirations. This dramatic underperformance has many analysts suggesting that New Orleans might consider a rebuild, which could make valued assets like Jones available on the trade market. While the Pelicans haven’t officially declared themselves sellers, their continued struggles might force their hand as the February trade deadline approaches. For the Lakers, this presents an opportunity to potentially acquire a player who would immediately address their defensive weaknesses while complementing their already potent offense.
A hypothetical trade framework proposed by Bleacher Report would have the Lakers sending Dalton Knecht, Maxi Kleber, and a 2031 first-round pick to New Orleans in exchange for Jones. According to BR analyst Zach Buckley, this would be a move “the Lakers would make right now—if they could,” noting that while their seventh-ranked offense is championship-caliber, their 21st-ranked defense “is in dire need of a lockdown defender like Jones.” From the Lakers’ perspective, this deal appears highly favorable as they would be parting with peripheral rotation pieces and a distant future asset in exchange for an established defensive specialist who fits their immediate needs.
The proposed trade package reflects the Lakers’ current player valuations quite clearly. Knecht, despite averaging 6.4 points on 36 percent three-point shooting across 20 games this season, has already been shopped once before in a deal with Charlotte that mysteriously fell through. His current role, limited to approximately 15 minutes per game, suggests he’s not viewed as a core piece of the team’s future. Similarly, Kleber, who came to Los Angeles in the Luka Doncic trade, has appeared in just 10 games this season, clearly falling outside coach JJ Redick’s regular rotation. The inclusion of a 2031 first-round pick might seem significant, but with the Lakers’ perpetual win-now philosophy and their recent investment in Doncic, sacrificing distant future assets for immediate improvement aligns perfectly with their organizational strategy.
However, from the Pelicans’ perspective, this trade proposal appears insufficient for a player of Jones’ caliber. While Jones isn’t considered a superstar, he represents exactly the type of versatile, defensive-minded role player that contending teams covet. Current reports suggest that New Orleans isn’t actively shopping Jones despite their struggles, indicating they still value him highly within their organization. For a deal to materialize, the Lakers would likely need to sweeten their offer significantly or wait for the Pelicans to fully commit to a rebuild, which might not happen before the February deadline despite their poor record.
The Lakers’ pursuit of Jones exemplifies their understanding of what’s needed to complement their roster and address their defensive shortcomings. Their seventh-ranked offense led by Doncic provides a strong foundation, but their defensive ranking (21st in the league) represents a clear weakness that could undermine their championship aspirations. Jones, with his proven defensive abilities and modest but developing offensive game, represents exactly the type of player who could elevate the Lakers from contenders to favorites. While current indications suggest he’s not available, circumstances can change quickly in the NBA, particularly for struggling teams like the Pelicans. As the trade deadline approaches, the Lakers’ interest in Jones bears watching, as it demonstrates their clear understanding of what they need to compete at the highest level.
