Lakers, Lakers trade, Herb Jones
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Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick reacts after his team is called for a foul against the Detroit Pistons at Crypto.com Arena on December 30, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
The New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly seeking at least two unprotected first-round picks in a potential Herb Jones trade, a price the Los Angeles Lakers will be unable to match ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
Per ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, the Pelicans have set a similar asking price for Trey Murphy III, their other 3&D star and one of the NBA’s best sharpshooting wings.
“…The Pelicans have made it clear to teams around the league that both young talents [Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III] will come at a high asking price, starting at a minimum of two unprotected first-round picks, league sources said,” wrote Siegel.
“There is a growing belief that Jones and Murphy will remain in New Orleans this season.”
The Lakers have only one tradeable first-round pick (2031 or 2032) to use in deals before the NBA trade deadline. However, they will have access to three first-rounders, including their 2026 pick, over the summer, when they can pursue a bigger fish.
Lakers Trade Target: Herb Jones
Per The Athletic’s Dan Woike, no player has been linked more to the Lakers by rival scouts and executives than Herb Jones, with buzz around the former All-Defensive wing and the Lakers dating back to the start of training camp.
As the season progressed, though, it became obvious that the Lakers needed a stout defender like Jones to help fix their biggest roster hole: perimeter defense. The Rob Pelinka-led front office reportedly reached out to the Pelicans in early December about Jones, who can’t be traded before Jan. 15 after signing an extension last summer.
At the time, The Athletic reported that the Pelicans weren’t compelled by what the Lakers could offer for Jones — one first-round pick and the expiring contracts of Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber.
“Maybe the view of the Lakers’ assets or the Pelicans’ view of Jones will change between now and the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline, but as of now, sources point out, New Orleans would need a whole lot to be convinced otherwise,” Woike wrote on Dec. 11.
The Herb Jones to Lakers rumors have even led to fans trolling the Pelicans player.
Lakers Trade Deadline Plans
Be it Jones or another player, the Lakers seem determined to land a 3&D wing to put next to their offensively-skewed trio of Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves. Per Forbes’ Evan Sidery, the Lakers recently reached out to the Sacramento Kings about Keon Ellis, a young guard with high upside who could be available at a low price point.
“Sacramento is seeking at least a 1st-round pick for Ellis, who is viewed as a well above-average 3-and-D guard. Los Angeles is willing to include Dalton Knecht, but they currently only have one tradable pick in 2031,” Sidery reported on Tuesday.
The report lines up with The Athletic’s Dan Woike, who noted on Dec. 19 that the Kings were seeking a protected first-round pick for Ellis.
Besides Ellis and Jones, the Lakers have been linked with the Miami Heat’s Andrew Wiggins, with some scouts also naming the LA Clippers‘ Derrick Jones Jr., Charlotte Hornets’ Josh Green and Brooklyn Nets’ Terrance Mann as backup/last resort options.