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The Los Angeles Lakers received good news on top trade target Herb Jones amid new injury report updates vs the New York Knicks on Sunday.
The Los Angeles Lakers have had their eyes on trade target Herb Jones for a long time now, and while the team couldn’t make a deal work with the New Orleans Pelicans at the 2026 trade deadline, they could still target the 3-and-D wing again this offseason.
In what is good news for the Lakers, as they look to retool this summer and build a stronger roster around Luka Doncic and presumably Austin Reaves, is that with Jones’ relatively poor form this season, trading for him this offseason might come a bit easier.
In 42 games for the Pelicans this year, Jones is averaging 8.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.6 steals on 38.3/28.9/82 shooting splits, all of which are down from last season.
Lakers Get Good News On Top Trade Target Herb Jones
Writing for LakeShowLife.com, Chris Lambert believes that amid the down year for Jones in New Orleans, his offseason trade value will drop, making it easier for the Lakers to make a deal for their long-time trade target this summer.
“What Lakers fans have been hoping for may finally become a reality. Herbert Jones is in the midst of anincredibly down season with the New Orleans Pelicans,” he wrote. “However, as Jones’ production continues to decline,Saddiq Bey’s continues to rise, which could lead the Pelicans to consider parting with one of the fan base’s most beloved players.”
The Lakers have long been interested in adding a 3-and-D wing to the roster, and Jones has been a top trade target since the start of the season. While Marc Stein had previously reported that the Pelicans were looking for a big package in return for the 27-year-old, his drop in performance and overall lack of availability this season could make the idea of Los Angeles offering another package for the wing a more realistic reality.
“The Los Angeles Lakers have been on a desperate search for a two-way wing that can shut down opposing offenses from the point of attack for what feels like five years,” Lambert added. “The Lakers don’t have a ton of long-term assets, and the prospect of getting Jones on a discount should be something they explore. Just two seasons ago, he finished fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting and made the All-Defensive First Team, while also shooting 40 percent from 3.”
NBA insiders Brett Siegel and Kevin O’Connor had both previously reported that the Lakers had interest in Jones in the lead-up to the trade deadline, and though a deal didn’t end up getting done, with the cap space Los Angeles will have, making a trade for the wing could come a lot easier than at any other point.
Jones signed a three-year, $67.5 million contract extension, whichwon’t kick in until the 2027-28 season. He is currently making roughly $14 million this year and next, making the idea of the Lakers trading for him a lot easier compared to some of their other top targets.
Lakers Injury Report Vs Knicks
While Jones remains an offseason situation that the Lakers will likely revisit this summer, the team has the rest of the regular season to worry about for the time being.
Specifically, Los Angelesis set to play the New York Knicks on Sunday, March 8, in a primetime game on ABC. The Lakers are coming off a middling stretch in which they’ve gone 6-4 in their last ten, but look to get a win against the title-hopeful Big Apple team.
Hours before tip, Los Angeles has both LeBron James and Maxi Kleber listed as questionable on the injury report. James suffered an elbow injury in the Lakers’ Thursday night game against the Denver Nuggets after breaking the NBA’s all-time field goals made record. He didn’t end up playing on Friday against the Indiana Pacers.
Dave McMenamin
LeBron James took a spill under the basket after scoring that last layup and absorbing some contact from Nikola Jokic. He subbed out of the game after a Lakers’ timeout. He appears to be getting his left elbow worked on by Lakers athletic trainer Mike Mancias on the bench.
“We’ll see what happens over the next couple of days,” James said on Thursday. “Hopefully, I’ll wake up [Friday] and it doesn’t feel too much worse than it is now. Or if it feels better, that would be great. So it’s day-to-day. We’ll see what happens.”
Kleber has missed the team’s last two games with a back injury. Lakers’ center Deandre Ayton also sat against the Pacers on Friday, but is off the injury report for Sunday, fully recovering from a minor knee injury. Bronny James and Adou Thiero (two-way) are both also out against New York.
The Knicks have Miles McBride out on the injury report, recovering from surgery on a core muscle injury, while Landry Shametis listed as questionable with a neck strain.
The Lakersvs Knicks game will tip off on Sunday, March 8, at 3:30pm EST and 12:30pm PST on ABC.