Rob Pelinka
Getty
Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka during a press conference in June 2024
The Los Angeles Lakers have been pursuing New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones as their primary trade target ahead of the February 5 deadline.
But according to Marc Stein in his latest NBA Substack report, the Pelicans have set a massive asking price that could derail the Lakers’ pursuit.
Stein revealed that the Pelicans would need a “Desmond Bane-type offer” to consider trading Jones or Trey Murphy III.
“What would it take to get the Pelicans to relent on their oft-cited resistance to trading either Trey Murphy III or Herb Jones? I’ve heard this one from multiple teams lately: They would want a Desmond Bane-type offer,” Stein wrote.
That asking price creates a major problem for the Lakers, who are trying to balance making a playoff push with preserving financial flexibility for the summer.
Underdog NBA
Latest trade intel from @TheSteinLine:
– Jeremy Sochan’s representation has received permission from Spurs to explore trades – Dalton Knecht a name to watch for a “possible fresh start” – Pelicans would need a “Desmond Bane-type offer” to trade Trey Murphy III or Herb Jones
What a ‘Desmond Bane-Type Offer’ Means
Last offseason, the Orlando Magic shocked the league when they traded for Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies.
Orlando surrendered four future first-round picks and a 2029 first-round pick swap to acquire Bane. That trade set the market for young, talented wings, and the Pelicans are now using it as the benchmark for any potential Jones deal.
It was a massive haul, and the Pelicans have earned the right to demand a similar return. Jones has generated significant trade interest as one of the league’s top 3-and-D wings, and New Orleans is in no hurry to move him unless they receive an offer they cannot refuse.
The problem for the Lakers is that giving up four first-round picks and a pick swap would gut their future. General manager Rob Pelinka has been cautious about making win-now moves that compromise the team’s long-term flexibility.
Why the Lakers Want Herb Jones
GettyLakers guard Luka Doncic is defended by Herbert Jones. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Jones is the perfect fit for what the Lakers need.
The 27-year-old wing is an All-Defensive caliber player who can guard multiple positions and knock down open threes. He is exactly the type of 3-and-D wing the Lakers have been searching for to complement LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
Jones is averaging 12.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.7 steals per game this season. His numbers are not flashy, but his impact goes beyond the stat sheet. He is one of the league’s best perimeter defenders and a reliable spot-up shooter.
The Lakers have been linked to Jones for months, and he remains their primary trade target. Stein previously reported that the Pelicans remain “resistant” to trade interest in both Jones and Murphy, but the Lakers have continued to pursue Jones regardless.
Jones is also under contract for the next four seasons, which makes him even more valuable. The Lakers would not be trading for a rental. They would be acquiring a long-term piece who fits their timeline and system.
The Financial Flexibility Dilemma
The Lakers are expected to have significant financial flexibility this summer.
Several expiring contracts, including Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes, Gabe Vincent, and Maxi Kleber, will come off the books. That flexibility would allow the Lakers to make significant roster changes in free agency or trade for a star player.
According to Stein, the Lakers are only willing to sacrifice that flexibility if they can acquire a “real needle-mover” at the wing position.
Jones fits that description. But giving up four first-round picks and a pick swap to acquire him would limit the Lakers’ ability to make additional moves in the summer. Pelinka has to weigh the value of adding Jones now versus keeping the flexibility to pursue bigger targets later.
The Lakers have also been linked to Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors, Michael Porter Jr. of the Brooklyn Nets, and even Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.
However, reports have surfaced that the Warriors are not liking the offers coming from Los Angeles for Kuminga. Porter’s price is too high for a player who provides nothing defensively. And Antetokounmpo is a long shot, with the Lakers likely trying to acquire assets to land him in a blockbuster trade in the summer.
Brett Siegel
Multiple league sources tell @ClutchPoints that there are no active, ongoing discussions between the Warriors and Lakers regarding Jonathan Kuminga.
The Lakers do hold interest in Kuminga, but the Warriors have made it clear LA has nothing of value to them.
There is no offer.
Can the Lakers Meet the Pelicans’ Price?
It is unlikely the Lakers will give up four first-round picks and a pick swap for Jones.
That price is too steep for a player who, while excellent, is not a superstar. Jones is a high-level role player, but he is not the type of player who transforms a franchise. The Lakers would be mortgaging their future for a 3-and-D wing, which does not make sense given their long-term goals.
The Lakers are 28-17 and sit in fifth place in the Western Conference. They are competing for a playoff spot, but they are not title favorites. Adding Jones would help, but it would not make them the team to beat in the West.
Pelinka knows this. The Lakers are trying to balance competing now with preserving flexibility for the future. Giving up four first-round picks for Jones would compromise that balance.
What the Lakers’ Options Are Before the Deadline
Lakers LeBron James reacts with Luka Doncic (77)
GettyLakers LeBron James reacts with Luka Doncic.
If the Pelicans do not lower their asking price, the Lakers will have to pivot.
One option is to stand pat and keep their financial flexibility for the summer. The Lakers could wait until the offseason to make bigger moves, either in free agency or through trade.
Another option is to make smaller moves to acquire draft capital. The Lakers could trade some of their expiring contracts for future picks, which could then be used in a blockbuster trade for a star player in the summer.
Hachimura has been playing well lately, and his trade value is potentially the highest it has been since he joined the Lakers three years ago. But it seems unlikely the Lakers would trade him without getting something substantial in return.
The Lakers could also explore other wing targets who are more affordable. But Jones remains their primary target, and the team is hoping the Pelicans will lower their asking price before the deadline.