{"id":168165,"date":"2025-11-28T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-28T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=168165"},"modified":"2025-11-28T01:03:31","modified_gmt":"2025-11-28T06:03:31","slug":"lakers-pelicans-herb-jones-trade-rumors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/11\/28\/lakers-pelicans-herb-jones-trade-rumors\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers Urged to Call ‘Non-Stop’ About Pelicans 3-and-D Wing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Even though they\u2019re second in the West, the <\/span>Lakers<\/span><\/a> can\u2019t escape inevitable trade rumors linking them to established frontcourt veterans. With concerns on both ends coming to light, one scout has advised them to reach out to a familiar partner.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lakers Urged to Call ‘Non-Stop’ About Pelicans 3-and-D Wing<\/b><\/h2>\n

NBA Scout: Lakers Need to Trade for Herb Jones<\/b><\/h3>\n

An <\/span>NBA scout told Lakers Daily<\/span><\/a> that LA should be working the phones to land <\/span>Herb Jones<\/span><\/a>, the fifth-year wing from the <\/span>New Orleans Pelicans<\/span><\/a> with a proven track record from the perimeter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRob [Pelinka] should be calling New Orleans non-stop trying to trade for Herb once he\u2019s eligible to be moved. Their best perimeter defender is a 31-year-old <\/span>Marcus Smart<\/span><\/a> who doesn\u2019t even start. Vando [<\/span>Jarred Vanderbilt<\/span><\/a>] is a great defender, but he\u2019s unplayable in the playoffs because of his offensive limitations.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs currently constructed, the Lakers will get waxed by Denver, OKC and Houston because they don\u2019t have athletic defenders on the perimeter. They need a stout defender who can also hit 3s. Herb fits that bill perfectly and New Orleans is open for business.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The 6\u20197\u201d combo forward is currently out with a calf strain, but he has shown he can be excellent on both sides of the ball. Jones is two seasons removed from earning an <\/span>All-Defensive First Team nod<\/span><\/a> while averaging a career-high 11 points per game on 41.8% shooting from deep. This year, he has put up 9.5 points and 1.4 steals while shooting 39% from the field, 36% from three, and 73% from the free-throw line.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jones, who is making $13.9 million ahead of a <\/span>three-year extension<\/span><\/a>, is eligible to be traded starting Jan. 14, 2026, according to Lakers Daily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Oct
Oct 29, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones (2) drives to the basket against Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the first quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jones Can Fill Vital Needs for Lakers<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Lakers\u2019 strong start has come despite struggles with defense and three-point shooting\u2014areas that Jones could fill immediately as a reliable starter.<\/span><\/p>\n

In pushing for LA to trade for Jones, the scout criticized the team\u2019s first unit of <\/span>LeBron James<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Luka Doncic<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Austin Reaves<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Rui Hachimura<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Deandre Ayton<\/span><\/a>, calling them \u201c<\/span>five guys who can\u2019t play a lick of defense.\u201d <\/span>Case in point, the team currently ranks <\/span>16th in defensive rating<\/span><\/a> and gives up <\/span>13.7 made threes per game<\/span><\/a>. Jones\u2019 length, athleticism and defensive IQ could significantly boost the Lakers\u2019 starting five.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Look at how hard Herb Jones works to get the block<\/p>\n

Nasty tight whistle – never allowed to play w\/ physicality<\/p>\n

Goes under the screen, blocks the 3PT and shows his hands\ud83d\udd12 pic.twitter.com\/VTxLG6NJk8<\/a><\/p>\n

— Pelicans Lead (@PelicansLead) November 24, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n