The Los Angeles Lakers are heading into trade season with one mission in mind: fix the defense. Ranked 20th in the league on that end, per NBA.com, the Lakers are clearly leaning on their offensive firepower to stay afloat.
But if they want to do more than just make noise in the playoffs-if they want to be the last team standing next summer-they’ll need to tighten the screws on defense. And that means adding the kind of perimeter stoppers who can turn a good team into a great one.
Now, the usual suspects have already made the rounds in trade rumors. Herb Jones sits at the top of the wishlist-an elite defender with a price tag to match.
On the other end, there's Keon Ellis, a more affordable option but with less proven impact. But here's the twist: the Lakers may not need to search beyond their own backyard.
If the Los Angeles Clippers-currently underwhelming and top-heavy with aging stars-decide it’s time to face reality and pivot toward a reset, the Lakers could find exactly what they’re looking for just across the hallway at Crypto.com Arena.
Perimeter Defense: The Missing Link
Let’s be clear: the Lakers can score with anyone. Luka Doncic is in the thick of another scoring title chase.
Austin Reaves is playing the best basketball of his career and making a legit All-Star push. And LeBron James, even at this stage, continues to defy time and logic with performances that still drop jaws-three 25-point games in his last nine outings is proof enough.
But even with that firepower, offense alone won’t get them through the gauntlet of the Western Conference, let alone to the Finals. That’s where the need for perimeter defense becomes critical-and where a potential deal with the Clippers could change everything.
Enter Herb Jones and Kris Dunn.
Jones is the kind of defender who can guard across positions, disrupt passing lanes, and erase mistakes with his length and anticipation. Dunn brings the edge at the point of attack that the Lakers have been missing-someone who can hound ball-handlers and pressure offenses before they even get into their sets.
And the numbers back it up. Dunn is averaging more than 1.5 steals per game, while Jones is blocking over one shot a night from the wing-impressive stuff considering neither is playing more than 27 minutes a game. These aren’t just solid defenders; they’re playmakers on that end of the floor.
Fueling the Fast Break
One of the more surprising stats this season? The Lakers rank just 26th in fast-break points.
That’s a head-scratcher for a team with LeBron, Doncic, and Reaves-three guys who thrive in transition. But that’s where Jones and Dunn could make a real difference.
Their ability to create live-ball turnovers could ignite a transition game that’s been strangely dormant.
Picture this: Dunn pokes the ball loose, Reaves scoops it up, Doncic fills the lane, and LeBron barrels toward the rim. That’s the kind of fast-break scenario that keeps opposing coaches up at night.
Offensive Upside, Too
And this isn’t just about defense. Both Jones and Dunn bring enough on the offensive end to complement the Lakers’ stars without getting in the way. Jones is a capable finisher and a respectable shooter from deep (north of 34% from three), while Dunn has shown flashes of playmaking that could ease the load on Doncic and Reaves as primary creators.
In other words, they’re not just defensive specialists-they’re two-way contributors who can fit into the Lakers’ offensive flow without disrupting the rhythm.
The Price Tag
Of course, no upgrade comes free. The big question is whether the Lakers can afford the asking price-assuming the Clippers are even willing to deal across town. If L.A.’s front office believes in the upside of someone like Dalton Knecht, they might view a package involving young talent and picks as a worthwhile return for two veteran role players.
Jones and Dunn aren’t franchise-changers, but they are high-level role players-exactly the kind of pieces that elevate a contender. That means the cost won’t be cheap, but it also shouldn’t be out of reach.
Championship Windows Don’t Stay Open Forever
For the Lakers, the calculus is simple: the core is in place, the offense is humming, and LeBron isn’t getting any younger. If there’s a move that brings balance to this roster and shores up the defense without gutting the future, it’s worth exploring.
Jones and Dunn might not be the flashiest names on the market, but they check every box the Lakers need right now. If the Clippers are ready to pivot, and if the Lakers are serious about chasing Banner No. 18, this is the kind of deal that could make all the difference.