As the NBA trade deadline looms, the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves at a crossroads. With just hours remaining before the window closes, the front office is weighing its options-looking for the kind of mid-season move that could flip the script on a rollercoaster 2025-26 campaign.
One name that’s surfaced in recent league chatter is a familiar face from last year’s NBA Finals: a 28-year-old forward who shared the floor with Luka Dončić during the Mavericks’ run. According to league sources, the Lakers have expressed interest in acquiring him as part of their broader search for defensive-minded wings.
But he’s not the only player on their radar.
The Lakers have reportedly cast a wide net, exploring deals for several two-way wings who could bring balance to a roster that’s shown flashes of potential but still lacks consistency on the perimeter. Among the names being floated: Golden State’s Jonathan Kuminga, Chicago’s Isaac Okoro, and Derrick Jones Jr. of the Clippers.
Jones, despite currently sidelined with an injury, may be the most intriguing of the bunch. He’s the prototypical 3-and-D wing-long, athletic, and disruptive defensively.
He thrives in transition, runs the floor with purpose, and has quietly become a reliable shooter from deep. This season, Jones is averaging 10.4 points and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting an efficient 55.6% from the field and 40% from three.
That kind of production, especially from a player who doesn’t need the ball in his hands to make an impact, is exactly what the Lakers could use.
And there’s more than just stats working in his favor. Jones already has chemistry with Dončić from their Finals run in Dallas-a sign that he can handle the pressure of big moments and contribute on a team with championship aspirations. For a Lakers squad trying to maximize the current window around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, adding a proven playoff performer with defensive chops and floor-spacing ability could be a game-changer.
Of course, the clock is ticking. The Lakers have until Thursday’s deadline to make a move, and with several teams eyeing the same types of players, the margin for error is slim. But if they can land a player like Jones-someone who checks boxes on both ends of the floor-it could be the kind of under-the-radar addition that pays off in April, May, and beyond.
Stay tuned. The Lakers are in the thick of it, and this trade deadline could end up shaping the rest of their season.