The Los Angeles Lakers are still fighting to secure a playoff seed and avoid the Play-In Tournament. The Lakers are entering the final season of LeBron James’ contract, and the veteran wants to finish his career on a legitimate contender.
“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Rich Paul told ESPN. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.”
Los Angeles attempted to satisfy both Luka Dončić and James at the trade deadline in February. One player the Lakers pursued was Herb Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans.
“The Lakers will pursue Herb Jones on the trade market, once the 3-22 Pelicans officially go into sell mode soon. After pursuing Andrew Wiggins throughout the summer, Los Angeles is now gearing up to aggressively chase Jones utilizing expiring contracts and future draft capital,” NBA reporter Evan Sidery posted.
While a deal for Jones did not materialize at the deadline, he is still projected to be a name the Lakers could pursue this summer.
“At his full potential, Jones is a top-five defender in the league and a reliable floor spacer. Those types of players are a rarity, especially when on a team-friendly deal like the one he signed this past offseason. Jones is set to make slightly over $22.5 million annually for the next three seasons. If JJ Redick could rejuvenate him, he would easily become one of the best contracts in the league. The Lakers have been linked to two-way wings, specifically Jones, for a long time. Now, it appears they may have a clear path to making that addition a reality. With the Pelicans in search of a pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Lakers could potentially explore a deal centered on their projected early-20s first-round pick and Dalton Knecht,” Lake Show Life’s Chris Lambert wrote.
Dalton Knecht has not received many opportunities this season, but other organizations could be willing to give the young talent a chance. Jones would provide the type of defensive presence the Lakers need while also adding versatility to the lineup.
The Lakers are expected to explore major moves this offseason, and Jones appears to be near the top of their list behind Austin Reaves. Los Angeles hopes Jones could become one of the key pieces needed to bring another championship to the franchise.
