If one thing has become clear this season, it’s that the Los Angeles Lakers need another defensive specialist on their roster.
JJ Redick’s team ranks 25th in the NBA in defensive rating, allowing 117.8 points per 100 possessions and posting a -0.7 net rating through 31 games.
With that in mind, ClutchPoint’s Bailey Bassett has proposed a deal that would send Herb Jones to Los Angeles. The full framework of the hypothetical trade looks like this:
Lakers Get: Herb Jones
New Orleans Pelicans Get: Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht and a 2032 top-14 protected first-round draft pick
“Herb Jones is one of the best defensive players in the NBA,” Bassett reasoned. “He can’t be traded until Jan. 15, but the Pelicans are one of the worst teams in the NBA, so they may ship him once he is trade-eligible. Jones would mask James, Doncic, and Reaves’ flaws. With those players’ offensive gravity and passing ability, he could also get his 3-point shooting back up to where it was in 2023-24.”
If the Lakers can get healthy and add another defensive stalwart to the roster, Redick’s team could emerge among the front-runners to come out of the West.
Lakers May Be Forced To Explore Reaves Trade
Austin Reaves has a $14.8 million player option on his contract for next season. However, he has vastly improved his game since signing that deal in 2023, and would undoubtedly receive a significant pay rise if he opted out of his current contract in the summer.
According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, Reaves could command close to a max deal on the free agency market. As such, the Lakers may find themselves with a tough decision to make, which in turn could potentially lead Rob Pelinka to explore Reaves’ trade market.
“Reaves is just a very interesting scenario that keeps getting brought up when we talk to rival teams around the league,” Siegel said on the Clutch Scoops show. “It’s hard to imagine the Lakers will trade him, but he will most likely opt out and enter free agency as one of the better guys on the market. Teams are going to pursue him. They’re going to be coming at him with max offers.”
Siegel continued.
“…So will the Lakers trade Reaves? I really don’t think they will and we haven’t heard anything developing on that front about them moving behind the scenes and see what they can get for Reaves, but if they are hesitant about offering him a max deal, and they are concerned that he could look at other offers in the off season, I think you have to do you due diligence to see what the can potentially give you.”
Lakers Expected To Be Active In Trade Market
In a recent appearance on Sirius XM NBA Radio, Lakers insider Jovan Buha postulated that the franchise could be active as we near the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
“I think maybe they do a couple moves and that reshapes the roster with two or three new players,” Buha said. “Right now, adding [a 3-and-D] player would help for sure. I just think it’s deeper than one player.”
Whatever the Lakers do, improving the defense must be at the forefront of their decision-making. Otherwise, Redick’s team will struggle to make much noise in the postseason. The Western Conference is too talented to rely on offense alone.
Now, Lakers fans will wait patiently to see what magic Pelinka can work as the trade deadline inches closer.
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