NBA scout urges Lakers to trade for Herb Jones to become legitimate title contenders

The Los Angeles Lakers have started the season 12-4 and sit in third place in the rugged Western Conference standings.

Through the first 16 games of the season, the Lakers are 17th in the NBA in points per game, 11th in points per game allowed, 13th in offensive rating, 14th in defensive rating and 15th in net rating.

While the Lakers have one of the best records in the NBA, people around the league don’t view them as a championship contender because of their lack of athleticism and perimeter defense.

With that said, one NBA scout told Lakers Daily that Los Angeles should trade for New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones to become a legitimate title contender this season.

The NBA scout doesn’t think the Lakers are good enough defensively to compete for the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

“Rob [Pelinka] should be calling New Orleans non-stop trying to trade for Herb once he’s eligible to be moved,” the NBA scout said. “Their best perimeter defender is a 31-year-old Marcus Smart who doesn’t even start. Vando (Jarred Vanderbilt) is a great defender, but he’s unplayable in the playoffs because of his offensive limitations.

“As currently constructed, the Lakers will get waxed by Denver, OKC and Houston because they don’t 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.”

Jones is currently out with a calf injury. He hasn’t played since November 21. The lefty is averaging 9.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.3 blocks per game on the season while shooting 39.0 percent from the field, 36.2 percent from beyond the arc and 73.9 percent from the free-throw line.

The 27-year-old Jones is making $13.9 million this season. He signed a three-year, $68 million extension with the Pelicans in the offseason.

Jones can’t be traded until January 14, 2026.

“A starting five of Luka [Doncic], Austin [Reaves], LeBron [James], Rui [Hachimura] and Deandre [Ayton] is not competing for a championship,” the NBA scout said. “That’s five guys who can’t play a lick of defense. LeBron can do it a little when he tries, but he’s 40, man. Give him some slack and trade for a guy like Jones who can cover for him, Austin and Luka.”

Jones was the 35th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He has career averages of 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.7 blocks in the NBA.