The Los Angeles Lakers could explore a move for Derrick Jones Jr. if he becomes available on the trade market.
While the LA Clippers highly covet Jones Jr., the Lakers could still reach out to their crosstown rivals to inquire about the athletic wing if a deal becomes possible, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic.
"I've heard the Clippers really value Derrick Jones Jr. as a player and behind the scenes, but if he were available, the Lakers would probably call and hope it turned out better than their last deal with LAC," Woike said during his AMA discussion in the Lakers' subreddit.
Derrick Jones Jr. a possible trade target for Lakers?
Derrick Jones Jr. is set to play for third NBA season as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Jones Jr. averaged a career-high 10.1 points last season, although he only played 50 games amid injury issues.
The forthcoming 2026-27 season will be the last of his three-year, $30 million deal he signed with LA as a free agent in 2024. He will earn $10.4 million before he enters free agency.
Jones Jr. is one of the league's most athletic and defensive-minded wings, and the Lakers can at least monitor his possible availability before the February trade deadline.
Not to mention, the 29-year-old has strong familiarity with Luka Doncic from their 2024 NBA Finals run with the Dallas Mavericks.