The word perfect gets tossed around loosely nowadays. There will certainly be no pretending that has not been the case around here in the past too. However, when one truly takes the time to sit down and think, is there really any trade target more perfect for the Los Angeles Lakers than Herb Jones?
The New Orleans Pelicans are stuck right at the bottom of the Western Conference, sitting dead last with a record of 2-15. Those are the types of teams that can typically be called when the NBA calendar gets closer to the trade deadline. There is just one major problem with that line of thinking.
Teams as bad as the Pelicans typically have a first-round pick to incentivize them to bottom-out. New Orleans does not have such a luxury. They infamously traded away their unprotected 2026 first-round pick in the deal that helped them move up and add Derik Queen in the 2025 NBA Draft.
TRADE: pic.twitter.com/isGriiXpwC
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) June 26, 2025
That could theoretically dissuade the Pelicans from wanting to be sellers ahead of the NBA trade deadline. Jones is undoubtedly a player who aids winning basketball. The Lakers would need an offer that is tough to refuse.
Herb Jones is the defensive answer that won't come cheap for the Lakers
While the Pelicans may not go out of their way to lose, given the aforementioned circumstances, sometimes facing reality is a must. New Orleans does not need to make that decision just yet, but eventually, the question of 'what now' will be one they cannot escape.
The problem for the Lakers is how the bottom of the Play-In picture is shaking out. The Memphis Grizzlies are currently occupying the 10th spot in the Western Conference with a record that is comfortably under .500.
As long as that remains the case, cellar dwellers will believe they have a chance at postseason basketball. That should include the Pelicans, to some capacity.
It would be disappointing to see Jones waste away in New Orleans for another year. 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.
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.
Offensively, his shooting touch has quietly returned as well. On a career-high 4.3 attempts from deep per game, Jones is shooting 36.2 percent. That number is bound to go up with Doncic settig him up.
The question here is: What is the price, and how comfortable are the Lakers with paying it?
Jones would solidify Los Angeles as contenders. Pelinka would need to know just how much Joe Dumars values his defensive star.