The Lakers’ fast start has turned the spotlight back on a roster that looks built around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, and the early returns have been strong. Doncic has been operating at an incredible level, and the defense has taken a noticeable step forward after being a major offseason priority for Los Angeles.
That defensive push was no accident. The Lakers finished 20th in defensive rating last season, and this year they believe their additions can help change that picture.
As SI’s Ricardo Sandoval wrote, “The Lakers finished 20th in defensive rating last season. This season, they believe Kessler, as well as the wings they collected, including Quentin Grimes, Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle and Collin Sexton, can provide active, disruptive on-ball pressure and length on the perimeter,".
Even with those upgrades, ESPN believes Los Angeles could still be in the market for another move. The proposed deal would send Jaden Hardy and three second-round picks to the Los Angeles Clippers for Derrick Jones Jr.
Jones would give the Lakers exactly the kind of defender they’ve been chasing. ESPN described him as “a talented defender who also started alongside Luka Doncic during the Mavericks ' 2024 Finals run.
He was an unsung hero throughout that 2024 playoff run as he held his own on defense against the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards. His thin frame combined with outlier athleticism allows him to navigate around screens and successfully shadow the shiftiest superstars in a way that few others in the league can.
His addition to the Lakers as a reliable point-of-attack defender would be immensely helpful in slowing down an opposing star guard in a playoff series.
The Clippers' future draft assets are severely depleted after the NBA stripped them of five future first-round picks for circumventing the salary cap,” ESPN wrote.
There’s also been reporting that Los Angeles could have a path to Jones if he wants a change of scenery. ClutchPoints’ Tomar Azarly said, “I think sometimes agents see different opportunities around the league to play more, make more money, contend for a championship, potentially, so that could also weigh into it,". “If they see a better opportunity elsewhere, they'll approach the Clippers, and the Clippers, in good faith, will try to get them where they want to go."
Jones is in the final year of his $30 million contract, which only adds to the intrigue. For the Lakers, he would be another athletic, versatile defender who fits the identity they’re trying to build while also bringing enough offensive value to matter.
The appeal is easy to see. Jones would give Los Angeles another perimeter stopper to deploy against opposing stars, easing some of the defensive burden on the team’s top scorers and letting Doncic keep doing what he does best.
There’s also a practical angle here. Hardy may not be in line for steady minutes in Los Angeles, while the Clippers’ lack of draft capital could make three second-rounders worth considering. The comparison to Jarred Vanderbilt makes the fit even clearer, though Jones brings a more dependable perimeter shot and the ability to hit open corner threes.
For a Lakers team that has already shown a willingness to be aggressive, this is the kind of move that would fit the moment.
In Other News...
Clippers Face A Different Thunder Test Depending On One Rising Scorer
The Clippers may be preparing for a different kind of Thunder challenge depending on whether Ajay Mitchell is available. The Oklahoma City guard is listed as questionable for the matchup because of a left ankle sprain, and he already sat out the Thunders last game against Portland. With several other Oklahoma City players also on the injury report, the availability of one emerging scorer could shape how much pressure the Clippers face on the perimeter.
Mitchell has become an important secondary option behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, giving the Thunder another source of offense when the rotation gets thin. If he can go, Los Angeles will have to account for a player who has helped stabilize Oklahoma Citys scoring depth. If not, the Clippers may see a more shorthanded version of a team already dealing with multiple absences, which changes the look of the game even before tipoff. [Read more 🡒]
Clippers Still Have A Bradley Beal Problem They Cant Solve
Bradley Beals season has been stuck in neutral for months, and the Clippers still do not have a clear path to getting him back into the rotation. Since suffering a broken hip in November 2025 that required surgery, Beal has been cleared to play but has not been able to sustain the kind of workload ramp-up teams usually need before a return. He has appeared in only six games this season, which has left Los Angeles waiting for a player it expected to be part of the solution.
The latest holdup is another reminder that this has become more than a simple rehab timeline. Beal is out again, with the Clippers managing his recovery while also dealing with right knee inflammation, and the uncertainty around his return date only adds to the frustration. For a team trying to piece together consistency, the bigger issue is not just when Beal can suit up, but whether his body will finally cooperate long enough for the Clippers to count on him. [Read more 🡒]
Clippers Catch Thunder With Another Rotation Question Before Tipoff
The Thunder head into Los Angeles trying to steady themselves after consecutive losses to the Trail Blazers, and the injury picture is still shaping the matchup before tipoff. Oklahoma City remains without several key pieces, including Chet Holmgren, Cason Wallace and Jalen Williams, leaving the rotation thinner than usual as the team prepares for a 9:30 p.m. CT start against the Clippers.
Ajay Mitchells status adds another layer of uncertainty after he sprained his ankle against Portland, leaving the Thunder with one more decision to monitor before they take the floor. On the other side of the ledger, Nikola Topic is back available after returning from injury, giving Oklahoma City at least one more option as it tries to navigate a short-handed night in Los Angeles. [Read more 🡒]