The Los Angeles Lakers enter the offseason needing a starting center and a decent wing defender. It won’t be easy for the Lakers to accomplish both with their limited assets, but if they could get creative and find a way to add both, they’d be one of the better teams in the NBA.
In a proposed trade idea from Fade Away World, they’d accomplished just that in a deal with the New Orleans Pelicans. The trade would move on from Dalton Knecht, Gabe Vincent, and a second-round pick in the 2025 NBA draft for Herb Jones.
“The Los Angeles Lakers, aiming to capitalize on their championship window, acquire Herb Jones from the New Orleans Pelicans. Jones, known for his defensive acumen, averaged 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists before a season-ending injury and already has an All-NBA Defensive First Team selection to his name.
“His addition would bolster the Lakers’ perimeter defense, providing support alongside LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves. Los Angeles trades Dalton Knecht, Gabe Vincent, and a second-round pick, maintaining their core while enhancing their defensive capabilities tremendously,” Eddie Bitar wrote.Would Trade With Lakers Make Sense for Pelicans?
Now, unless the New Orleans Pelicans want to sell for whatever reason, giving up Jones for an older second-year player in Knecht and one second-round pick doesn’t make much sense. Vincent doesn’t have much value, so he’s essentially a non-factor in this trade.
Jones is one of the top defenders in the NBA.
