Even though they’re second in the West, the Lakers can’t escape inevitable trade rumors linking them to established frontcourt veterans. With concerns on both ends coming to light, one scout has advised them to reach out to a familiar partner.
Lakers Urged to Call ‘Non-Stop’ About Pelicans 3-and-D Wing
NBA Scout: Lakers Need to Trade for Herb Jones
An NBA scout told Lakers Daily that LA should be working the phones to land Herb Jones, the fifth-year wing from the New Orleans Pelicans with a proven track record from the perimeter.
“Rob [Pelinka] should be calling New Orleans non-stop trying to trade for Herb once he’s eligible to be moved. Their best perimeter defender is a 31-year-old Marcus Smart who doesn’t even start. Vando [Jarred Vanderbilt] is a great defender, but he’s unplayable in the playoffs because of his offensive limitations.
“As currently constructed, the Lakers will get waxed by Denver, OKC and Houston because they don’t have athletic defenders on the perimeter. They need a stout defender who can also hit 3s. Herb fits that bill perfectly and New Orleans is open for business.”
The 6’7” combo forward is currently out with a calf strain, but he has shown he can be excellent on both sides of the ball. Jones is two seasons removed from earning an All-Defensive First Team nod while averaging a career-high 11 points per game on 41.8% shooting from deep. This year, he has put up 9.5 points and 1.4 steals while shooting 39% from the field, 36% from three, and 73% from the free-throw line.
Jones, who is making $13.9 million ahead of a three-year extension, is eligible to be traded starting Jan. 14, 2026, according to Lakers Daily.
Jones Can Fill Vital Needs for Lakers
The Lakers’ strong start has come despite struggles with defense and three-point shooting—areas that Jones could fill immediately as a reliable starter.
In pushing for LA to trade for Jones, the scout criticized the team’s first unit of LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton, calling them “five guys who can’t play a lick of defense.” Case in point, the team currently ranks 16th in defensive rating and gives up 13.7 made threes per game. Jones’ length, athleticism and defensive IQ could significantly boost the Lakers’ starting five.
Look at how hard Herb Jones works to get the block
Nasty tight whistle – never allowed to play w/ physicality
Goes under the screen, blocks the 3PT and shows his hands
pic.twitter.com/VTxLG6NJk8
— Pelicans Lead (@PelicansLead) November 24, 2025
Offensively, the Lakers rank dead last in threes made (11 per game) and 24th in three-point percentage (33.9%). Head coach JJ Redick addressed this concern ahead of LA’s blowout win over the Clippers Tuesday.
“We’re literally one of the worst shooting teams in the NBA right now. I don’t think that’s who we are. We’ve got to make shots and we’ve got to shoot them with confidence…We got to shoot the ball better but it’s got to be a belief in each other and a belief in ourselves to knock down shots.”
A career 36.5% three-point marksman, Jones’ solid shooting can give Doncic, James and Reaves another offensive weapon and potentially make the team dangerous from deep.
If the Lakers’ struggles continue by January, then perhaps Rob Pelinka considers acquiring Jones, who looks like a perfect fit on paper and could better serve a title contender instead of a lottery-bound organization.
© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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