Los Angeles Lakers have put a trade for 2024 All‑Defensive wing Herbert Jones at the top of their offseason agenda, hoping to plug a glaring perimeter‑defense hole after a 0‑5 stretch that ended with a 110‑115 loss to Oklahoma City Thunder on 2026‑05‑12.

Who is the Lakers’ trade target?

Herbert Jones, a 6‑6 wing for the New Orleans Pelicans, earned All‑Defensive Team honors in 2024 and is consistently rated among the league’s top perimeter stoppers. An X‑account suggests the Lakers would send second‑year forward Adou Thiero and veteran Jarred Vanderbilt, plus a 2031 second‑round pick, in exchange for Jones and the pick. The Pelicans would also receive a 2032 pick swap, a 2030 second‑rounder from the Wizards and a 2033 second‑rounder from the Lakers. Reports say New Orleans is asking two first‑round picks, a price the Lakers can’t meet after spending all their draft capital on Walker Kessler.

Why does Los Angeles need Jones now?

The Lakers’ recent acquisitions-Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton and Jaden Hardy-add depth but do little for perimeter defense. Former NBA guard Antonio Daniels warned on SiriusXM’s NBA Radio that the moves favor offense and leave the team vulnerable on the outside. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves thrive when they can drive against tight coverage; without a reliable wing defender, opponents exploit the paint and force the backcourt into tough shots.

What does the Pelicans’ side look like?

Pelicans writer Terry Kimble notes that New Orleans may be ready to move Jones despite his cultural impact. Jones’ shooting has slipped, and head coach Jamahl Mosley, known for defensive schemes, could develop younger players like Micah Peavy to share the load. If Mosley raises the team’s overall defensive ceiling, the urgency to keep Jones diminishes, making a trade more palatable.

How will the deal affect Lakers’ championship odds?

Adding Jones would give Los Angeles a legitimate perimeter stopper capable of guarding elite guards in the playoffs. His ability to generate steals and contest three‑point attempts could free up Kessler to protect the rim without overcommitting. Yet the Lakers must still address their lack of first‑round assets; a package involving Thiero and Vanderbilt may be the only realistic offer. If the trade goes through, the Lakers could finally pair Doncic’s playmaking with a wing that can hold its own on both ends, a combination that could turn a 0‑5 slump into a playoff push.

What’s the next step?

The Lakers front office is expected to negotiate with New Orleans in the coming weeks. Should the Pelicans hold firm on two first‑round picks, Los Angeles may need to explore alternative defensive options or consider a multi‑team deal. For now, the trade rumor dominates Lakers headlines as the franchise searches for the missing piece that could balance its high‑octane offense with stout defense.