The New Orleans Pelicans (3-15) are widely expected to shop most of their veterans ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline, with the franchise preparing to build around the talented young duo of Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen. In such a scenario, the Los Angeles Lakers have been urged to pounce on Herb Jones, an All-Defensive wing and one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA.
LakeShow Life’s Svyatoslav Rovenchuk believes Jones would be the “ideal trade target” for a Lakers team that desperately lacks an athletic wing defender.
“It would be disappointing to see Jones waste away in New Orleans for another year,” wrote Rovenchuk.
“The mold of player he is would answer exactly what Rob Pelinka has been on the hunt for since the offseason. Jones is the type of 3-and-D star who would immediately raise the Lakers’ ceiling. His $13.9 million makes him an easy player to match salaries for as well.”
Lakers: Servicable on Defense
The Lakers, who rank 14th in defensive efficiency, don’t exactly have the personnel to turn into a top-five or even top-eight team. In Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic, they have a pair of below-average defenders, and LeBron James, who turns 41 next month, can’t be expected to play high-level defense this late into his career.
Marcus Smart has been a savior for the Lakers defensively, as JJ Redick’s team has conceded 105.7 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor, and nearly 10 more points when he goes to the bench. However, Smart remains an offensive liability, which has prevented Redick from playing him more than 25-27 minutes per night.
Herb Jones would instantly give Redick another quality perimeter stopper.
“At his best, the former All-NBA Defensive First Team member can erase an opposing superstar from a game altogether. Luka Doncic, himself, once described him as one of the ‘biggest headaches’ he’s had to deal with,” reminded Rovenchuk.
An Improved Shooter
Jones is making a career-high 1.6 threes per game this season, at a decent clip of 36.2 percent. That number will surely increase when the elite playmaking trio of James, Doncic and Reaves is setting him for threes, instead of a rookie in New Orleans.
The only issue for the Lakers would be the Pelicans’ asking price. With front-office head Joe Dumars inexplicably trading away their 2026 unprotected first-round pick, the Pelicans would likely seek at least one future first-rounder from the Lakers.
“The question here is: What is the price, and how comfortable are the Lakers with paying it?” asked Rovenchuk.
“Jones would solidify Los Angeles as contenders. [Rob] Pelinka would need to know just how much Joe Dumars values his defensive star.”
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