The Los Angeles Lakers know exactly what is wrong with their roster — and they know exactly what kind of player could fix it.
After a recent slide fueled by defensive breakdowns, the Lakers are actively searching for a 3-and-D wing who can guard elite scorers, create turnovers and fit alongside Luka Dončić, LeBron James and Austin Reaves without disrupting the offense.
According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, that search has already led the Lakers to one of the league’s premier defensive specialists.
“Herb Jones is another player high atop the Lakers’ trade wish list, especially ahead of this year’s trade deadline,” Siegel reported Friday. “The Lakers have already held conversations with the Pelicans about Jones’ availability, but they, too, aren’t actively looking to move their defensive-minded wing. Jones’ asking price remains very high, and he appears to be out of the Lakers’ price range in terms of assets.”
That asset problem may be the story.
Herb Jones Emerges as Ideal Fit for Lakers’ Defensive Needs
GettyShai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder is defended by Herbert Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Jones, 27, signed a three-year, $68 million extension with New Orleans in July 2025 that runs through the 2028-29 season with a player option for 2029-30 — a five-year, $97 million total commitment. His $13.9 million salary this season makes him one of the league’s most valuable contracts relative to impact.
Though his offensive numbers are modest — 9.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game — Jones’ defensive profile places him among the NBA’s elite.
He ranks in the top three in steals per game (1.7), the 93rd percentile in deflections and the 96th percentile in turnovers forced, according to Crafted NBA. At 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot wingspan and a career 36.4% mark from three-point range, Jones is the archetype every contender covets.
The Lakers, by contrast, currently rank 26th in defensive efficiency despite boasting one of the league’s most potent offenses.
Trade Cost Likely Beyond Lakers’ Reach
Los Angeles has only one tradable first-round pick available (2030 or 2031) and a limited set of young assets led by Dalton Knecht, plus a collection of expiring contracts.
The Ringer founder and long-time NBA analyst Bill Simmons recently floated a possible package.
“I would trade Herb Jones right now,” Simmons said earlier this month. “The contract he’s at, literally what the Lakers need. [Dalton] Knecht, [Maxi] Kleber and a 2031 first. Call it in.”
But per Siegel’s reporting, that offer would fall short.
New Orleans is not motivated to move Jones, and if it ever did, multiple teams with deeper draft capital could outbid Los Angeles easily.
League Voices Agree: Lakers Need a Defensive Wing
The Athletic’s Sam Amick echoed that reality on Run It Back.
“The Lakers are looking for a 3-and-D-type guy,” Amick said. “Could it be Keon Ellis, Herb Jones, or somebody like that?”
Lakers beat reporter Jovan Buha previously suggested that kind of addition is the only path toward legitimate contention.
“If it’s a Herb Jones, I think they have a real shot,” Buha said in September. “Maybe I’d pick them to beat OKC.”
That urgency has only increased.
Rich Paul’s Comments Underscore Growing Concern
Even before the recent slide, LeBron James’ agent, Rich Paul, publicly questioned the Lakers’ ceiling during the debut episode of The Ringer’s Game Over With Max Kellerman and Rich Paul.
“I personally don’t think the Lakers are good enough to be contenders, not right now,” Paul said. “I don’t think they have enough to get to the Western Conference Finals.”
Those comments now feel less provocative and more prophetic.
The Lakers know what they need. They’ve identified the player type. They’ve even identified the player.
What they don’t have is the leverage.
And with the trade deadline approaching and defensive issues mounting, Los Angeles may be forced to accept a difficult truth — the solution they want may be the one they can’t afford.
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