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EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: General Manager Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks with media during a press conference at UCLA Health Training Center on September 25, 2025 in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers are finally mostly healthy for the first time this season. With LeBron James back in the lineup, they have their normal starting lineup available. Even with James missing the first month of the season, the Lakers still have the seventh-best offense in the league.
Yet, the defense is where Los Angeles needs the most help. They have the 20th-ranked defense in the league, mainly stemming from poor perimeter defense. Having a starting backcourt of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves will lend itself to poor defense.
The Lakers are still looking around the trade market for some help with their perimeter defense. In fact, they have one wing at the top of their wishlist, according to a recent report.
GettyPelicans forward Herb Jones plays defense. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Lakers Have Defensive Wing at the Top of Their Trade Wishlist
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Los Angeles has Herb Jones as one of the players at the top of their wishlist. The Pelicans wing is coveted by many teams across the NBA. Scotto talked about the fact that the Lakers are looking for a 3-and-D wing.
“The Los Angeles Lakers are monitoring the trade market for a defensive wing upgrade, league sources told HoopsHype. Among the 3-and-D wing upgrades on their wish list is New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones, league sources say.”
Jones is shooting the worst percentage from the field of his career, shooting under 40 percent. He is still shooting just under 34 percent from beyond the 3-point arc. Still, the Lakers don’t need him for his offense. They are more interested in him being a defensive menace.
Despite Jones’ lack of offense, he has the best defensive rating of his career by a significant margin. His ability to switch and guard four different positions is something that the Lakers desperately need on the perimeter.
GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic shoots the ball. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
The Lakers Need to Make a Move at the Trade Deadline
It’s clear that the Lakers need to make a move to make them a true contender in the Western Conference. Defensively, the Lakers need to make a massive improvement to contend with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Right now, they are third in the Western Conference standings.
The issue with that is the margin between second and sixth in the West is just three games. Teams are bunched up, with no one really taking charge. The Lakers are certainly going to look at all of the options available, but the Pelicans won’t just let a good, young player like Jones walk for nothing.
Rob Pelinka does have the luxury of having a few expiring contracts to trade to make a necessary move, which is what they are going to have to do if they are going to get a title. There’s a good chance the Lakers will wait until the actual trade deadline to make a move.
Teams are sometimes unwilling to trade with the Lakers unless it’s a clear win for them. LA has several assets it can use to achieve its goals.