The Lakers’ early surge has come with a clear theme: the roster is being built to make life easier for Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, and the defense has already taken a noticeable step forward. That was the point of the offseason, and Los Angeles has leaned into it with a group designed to bring pressure, length and disruption on the perimeter.
Still, ESPN sees room for one more swing. In a proposed deal, the Lakers would send Jaden Hardy and three second-round picks to the Los Angeles Clippers for Derrick Jones Jr., a move that would add another rugged defender to a team already trying to sharpen its edge.
Jones has a track record that fits what the Lakers are chasing. He started next to Doncic during the Mavericks’ 2024 Finals run and earned praise for the way he handled tough defensive assignments.
As ESPN put it, “Jones is 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.
That defensive versatility is the real draw here. Jones would give Los Angeles another player it could throw at elite perimeter scorers, easing the burden on its top offensive pieces while preserving the identity the team seems to be building. He also brings athleticism on the other end, which adds a little more value to the package.
There’s also a layer of possibility on the Clippers’ side. Reporting has suggested they could be open to accommodating Jones if he wants a different situation. 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,” and added, “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, the appeal is obvious: another athletic, versatile defender who fits the direction they’re already heading.
The comparison that jumps out is Jarred Vanderbilt, though Jones brings a more dependable outside shot and can hit open corner threes. That matters for a team trying to define itself through defensive intensity without sacrificing too much spacing.
Hardy, meanwhile, could have a hard time finding steady minutes in Los Angeles, making him a movable piece if the Lakers want an immediate upgrade. And with the Clippers’ draft stock already limited, those second-round picks could carry extra weight.
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