Toran FloresWed, December 3, 2025 at 10:56 PM UTC·2 min readLakers reportedly have interest in trading for one of the NBA's best defenders originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers have opened the 2025-26 season on a strong note, posting a 15-5 record through their first 20 games. As they chase the franchise's 18th championship, the front office continues to explore ways to strengthen the roster.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTrade talks are beginning to intensify. Big names, such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, LaMelo Ball, and Ja Morant, have been at the center of recent rumors.
For the Lakers, they already have their big three in Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves. So what kind of moves could they make to improve the roster?
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Report: Lakers interested in trading for Pelicans F Herb Jones
Among trade rumors, multiple reports from ClutchPoints have pointed out that the Lakers are among the teams that are interested in trading for New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"The Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors are among a handful of Western Conference contenders actively exploring ways to acquire Jones," NBA insider Chris Dodson wrote.
Jones, 27, is one of the best defenders in the league. While proving to be able to guard a team's best player and adding the ability to provide production on the offense, Jones was named to the NBA's First-Team All-Defense team in 2024.
Through 16 games for the Pelicans this season, he's averaging 9.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.3 steals. His shot-making ability has struggled this season, shooting 39 percent from the field, but a new environment could benefit the Alabama prospect in the long run.
Los Angeles has hoped that Jarred Vanderbilt could be the three-and-D guy for them, but his three-point percentage (28.6%) has made it difficult for him to crack the rotation. Herb Jones shoots the three-ball at an improved rate this season (36.2%), making him a player that the Lakers could go out and get.
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