Lakers Beat Writer Just Nuked the Herb Jones Fantasy

For weeks, Herb Jones has felt like the dream solution to the Los Angeles Lakers’ most glaring flaw. Elite perimeter defense. Versatility. Playoff toughness. On paper, the New Orleans Pelicans wing checks every box for a team desperate to tighten up on that end of the floor.

Now, that fantasy may be officially dead.

According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, rival scouts and executives have indeed connected Jones to the Lakers as a theoretical trade target once he becomes eligible to be dealt on January 14. But just as quickly as the idea gained traction, Woike poured cold water on it.

“Team and league sources tell The Athletic that New Orleans is not interested in moving Jones. And considering what LA would have to offer in a deal — expiring contracts and a single first-round pick — the Pelicans almost certainly wouldn’t engage at that price point.”

For Lakers fans hoping for a blockbuster defensive upgrade, it was a brutal reality check.

🧱 Why Herb Jones Is So Coveted

Jones has long been viewed as one of the league’s premier defensive wings. His ability to guard multiple positions, disrupt passing lanes, and thrive in high-leverage moments makes him exactly the type of player the Lakers lack on the perimeter.

If there were a realistic path to acquiring him, Los Angeles should sprint down it.

The problem? That path likely doesn’t exist.

📉 The Lakers’ Asset Problem

Woike’s reporting highlights a harsh truth: the Lakers’ trade package simply isn’t competitive.

Beyond the obvious lack of blue-chip young players, the perceived value of Los Angeles’ draft picks has taken a hit as well. According to Woike, future Lakers first-rounders — whether 2031 or 2032 — are no longer viewed as premium assets around the league.

There are two major reasons for that shift:

1. The Luka Dončić Factor
2. With Dončić in place as a franchise cornerstone, rival teams no longer see a clear path to the Lakers bottoming out. A team trading for those picks would be betting against Luka-led relevance — not an appealing gamble.
3. Mark Walter’s Ownership Takeover
4. Mark Walter officially acquired a majority stake in the franchise in late October. Around the league, his reputation for operational excellence with the Los Angeles Dodgers has altered how teams view the Lakers’ future.

The assumption is simple: under competent ownership and elite star power, the Lakers are unlikely to collapse in a way that makes those distant picks truly valuable.

🚫 Why a Jones Trade Looks Unlikely

Put it all together, and the math doesn’t work.

• New Orleans has no incentive to move Jones
• The Lakers can’t offer elite young talent
• Their draft capital is viewed as less risky than before

As the February 5 trade deadline approaches, those realities only make negotiations more difficult for Rob Pelinka.

😔 A Tough Pill for Lakers Fans

Lakers fans will naturally hope Woike’s assessment proves wrong. After all, unexpected trades do happen in the NBA.

Still, this isn’t baseless speculation. Woike is deeply plugged into league circles, and his reasoning reflects how front offices actually think — not how fans hope they will.

For now, the idea of Herb Jones arriving in Los Angeles feels far more like a wish than a plan.

And unless something dramatically changes, the Lakers may have to look elsewhere for the defensive star they so clearly need.