The Los Angeles Lakers are off to a strong start in the 2025-26 campaign, sitting at 15-5 through their first 20 games. With championship aspirations once again front and center, the front office is already exploring ways to fine-tune the roster for another deep postseason run. And as trade chatter begins to heat up across the league, the Lakers are reportedly in the mix for one of the NBA’s premier perimeter defenders.
According to multiple reports, the Lakers are among the Western Conference contenders showing interest in New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones. The Golden State Warriors are also said to be in that group, but it’s Los Angeles that might have the more pressing need - and the more intriguing fit.
Jones, 27, has quietly built a reputation as one of the league’s most versatile and tenacious defenders. He earned First-Team All-Defense honors in 2024, a nod to his ability to consistently take on the toughest defensive assignments night after night. Whether it's switching onto guards, battling wings, or disrupting passing lanes, Jones brings a level of defensive intensity that any playoff-caliber team would love to plug into its rotation.
Offensively, he’s still a work in progress - averaging 9.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.3 steals through 16 games this season. His shooting has dipped a bit, hitting just 39% from the field, but he's improved from beyond the arc, knocking down 36.2% of his threes. For a Lakers squad looking to surround its stars with reliable two-way players, that outside shooting bump is worth noting.
The Lakers already have their core trio in Luka Dončić, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves. That group has been dynamic to start the season, but as we've seen in recent years, depth and defensive versatility are often what separate contenders from champions. That’s where a player like Jones could come in - someone who doesn’t need the ball to make an impact, can guard multiple positions, and knock down open looks when the stars draw attention.
Los Angeles had hoped Jarred Vanderbilt could fill that role as their go-to three-and-D wing, but his shooting struggles (28.6% from three) have made it tough for him to stay in the regular rotation. That’s not to say Vanderbilt doesn’t bring value, especially on the defensive end, but the Lakers need floor spacing around Dončić and LeBron - and right now, Jones is simply shooting it better.
Of course, any potential deal would come down to the asking price. The Pelicans know what they have in Jones - a high-level defender on a team-friendly deal, still in his prime. But if the Lakers see him as the missing piece that could elevate them from contender to favorite, it might be worth paying that price.
With the trade deadline still a ways off, there’s time for the market to evolve. But the Lakers are clearly keeping their eyes open.
They’re not looking for a star - they’ve got those. What they need is someone who can fill in the gaps, defend at a high level, and hit timely shots.
Herb Jones checks a lot of those boxes. And if Los Angeles decides to make a move, don’t be surprised if he’s the name that comes up first.