Lakers Eye Defensive Upgrade as Front Office Considers Major Push for Herb Jones

The Los Angeles Lakers, sitting at 13–4 and holding the No. 2 seed in the West, continue to impress — but not enough to silence doubts among scouts and league executives. Across the NBA, the message is consistent: if the Lakers want to stand toe-to-toe with the elite in May and June, they need more perimeter defense and athleticism.

That belief has brought one name to the center of the conversation: Herb Jones, the defensive-minded forward from the New Orleans Pelicans.

🔍 NBA Scout Sounds Off: “Pelinka Should Be Calling Nonstop”

A league scout speaking to Lakers Daily didn’t hesitate when asked what Los Angeles lacks:

“Rob Pelinka should be calling New Orleans nonstop trying to get Herb as soon as he’s eligible. Their best perimeter defender is Marcus Smart, and he’s 31 and not even starting. Vanderbilt is great defensively, but his offensive limitations make him hard to trust in the playoffs.”

According to the scout, this isn’t merely a personnel problem — it’s structural:

“With the roster as it is today, the Lakers would get run over by Denver, OKC, and Houston. They don’t have athletic perimeter stoppers. Herb is exactly that, and New Orleans is listening to offers.”

🛡️ Who Is Herb Jones — and Why Do Contenders Want Him?

At 27 years old, standing 2.01m, Herb Jones has become one of the most respected defensive wings in the league. Though his season started slow, he was All-Defensive First Team just two years ago, averaging:

• 11.0 points per game
• 49.8% FG
• 41.8% from three

Jones’ appeal lies in his versatility:

• Guards ones, twos, threes, and even small fours
• Switches fluidly on the perimeter
• Survives offensively with cutting, transition play, and reliable corner shooting

He is currently recovering from a calf issue and cannot be traded until January 14, 2026, due to his new three-year extension.

⚠️ Scout Critiques Lakers’ Starting Lineup

The same scout didn’t mince words when evaluating the Lakers’ current core rotation:

“A lineup with Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton doesn’t win a title. That’s five guys who don’t defend at a high level. LeBron still can when he pushes, but he’s 40. You need someone like Herb to cover for him, Austin, and Luka.”

The idea is simple: Los Angeles has elite offensive talent, but in a seven-game series, defending explosive guards and athletic wings becomes the deciding factor.

📊 Numbers That Reveal LA’s Defensive Gap

Data backs up the concern:

• 15th in Defensive Rating — league average
• 5th in points off turnovers
• 7th in opponent turnover percentage
• 22nd in fast-break points

The Lakers force mistakes, but don’t consistently turn them into transition buckets — something Jones excels at with his length and instincts.

💰 Manageable Contract — But What’s the Real Cost?

Financially, Jones fits cleanly into trade math. He’s making $13.9 million this season, reachable with a combination of role-player deals.

But the real price?

Draft picks.

With the Pelicans sitting at 3–15 and at the bottom of the West, they’re expected to be sellers before the February 5 deadline. That increases LA’s chances — but also raises the risk of a bidding war if other contenders identify Jones as the missing playoff piece.

🎯 Is Herb Jones Worth an All-In Move?

For the scout, the answer is obvious:

If the Lakers want to match the intensity and athleticism of Denver, OKC, and Houston, they need a defensive stopper who fits next to Luka, LeBron, and Reaves without breaking the offense.

Herb Jones is that archetype.

The only question now:

Is the front office willing to pay the draft capital required to turn a very good regular-season team into a legitimate title contender?