Despite the New Orleans Pelicans’ underwhelming record this season, they’re sitting on some serious trade chips-and league executives know it. Two names in particular are drawing attention from contenders: Jose Alvarado and Herb Jones.
While Alvarado brings energy and defensive grit, it’s Jones who’s turning heads across front offices. And for good reason.
At 6-foot-7, Herb Jones is the type of player every playoff-bound team is hunting for. He’s a classic three-and-D wing-long, versatile, and disciplined.
He can guard multiple positions, knock down open looks, and doesn’t need the ball to impact the game. That kind of plug-and-play talent is gold in today’s NBA, especially for teams with stars already in place.
The Los Angeles Lakers, in particular, have their eyes locked on Jones. According to reports, the Lakers “love” what he brings to the table, and around the league, there’s a growing sense that he’s worth two first-round picks. That’s a steep price, but not out of bounds for a player who could immediately slide into a starting role on a team trying to contend right now.
Whether L.A. is ready to part with that kind of draft capital remains to be seen. But make no mistake-this is a team in win-now mode. If they believe Jones is the missing piece to unlock their defensive potential and give them a reliable wing presence, they might just pull the trigger.
The Lakers’ current roster construction leaves them short on versatile wings. They’ve got size, they’ve got star power, but they lack that in-between guy who can switch onto guards or forwards and hold his own.
Jones fits that mold perfectly. He’d bring defensive toughness, floor spacing, and even serve as a sneaky lob threat for playmakers like LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
Yes, you read that right-Doncic. While he’s not a Laker, the original report mentioned him in the context of lob targets, likely a mix-up or speculative leap. But in L.A., it’s LeBron who would benefit most from a guy like Jones cutting baseline or filling the lane in transition.
As the trade deadline creeps closer, chatter around players like Jones only gets louder. And players hear it.
They feel it. In fact, Jones recently had a moment with a fan who shouted, “Herb Jones, you are a Laker, my boy.”
His reaction? A mix of surprise and amusement-like someone who, for a split second, thought the trade might’ve already gone through.
You can’t blame him. He knows teams are circling.
He knows his value. And he probably knows that his days in New Orleans could be numbered if the right offer lands on the table.
With February fast approaching, the market’s heating up-and Herb Jones is right in the middle of it.