Lakers’ Top Trade Target Likely Unreachable as Market Tightens

Trade discussions surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers have grown louder in recent weeks, fueled by the team’s strong start and a clear desire to add defensive depth on the perimeter. Despite their interest, the Lakers appear to be facing a difficult reality: the player they want most may not be obtainable at any realistic price. According to reporting from The Athletic, New Orleans Pelicans wing Herbert Jones has emerged as the Lakers’ top target, but the Pelicans have given no indication they would consider moving him.

The appeal is understandable. Jones, one of the league’s premier perimeter defenders, fits virtually every need Los Angeles has identified. Yet league insiders suggest the Pelicans view him as a foundational piece rather than a trade asset — a stance reinforced by his three-year extension signed in July. While that deal makes him ineligible to be traded until mid-January, the larger obstacle appears to be New Orleans’ unwillingness to even engage in discussions.

Complicating matters for the Lakers is the limited strength of their trade package. With only expiring deals and a single future first-round pick available, Los Angeles cannot assemble a particularly compelling offer. Executives around the league reportedly doubt that the Pelicans would consider parting with Jones for anything close to what the Lakers can provide.

The situation leaves Los Angeles searching for solutions at a time when its defensive structure remains inconsistent. Even as LeBron James works toward full rhythm and Marcus Smart deals with ongoing availability issues, the team must navigate a trade market short on realistic, high-impact options.

1. Jones at the Center of an Unlikely Trade Scenario

Herbert Jones has been repeatedly identified by rival scouts and executives as the Lakers’ No. 1 trade target. His defensive profile and improving versatility make him a rare commodity, and his team-friendly contract only enhances his value. For the Lakers, he represents an ideal partner alongside their stars — someone capable of defending top perimeter threats while contributing efficiently on offense. But two barriers immediately stand out. First, Jones cannot be dealt until January 14 because of the extension he signed over the summer. Second and far more decisive, the Pelicans have given league personnel no indication that they are open to moving him. With New Orleans struggling early but still investing in a young core, the franchise appears intent on keeping its most dependable defender. The Athletic’s reporting emphasized that the Pelicans have not entertained any internal or external dialogue suggesting Jones could be pried loose. With Los Angeles limited to expiring contracts and one first-round pick, New Orleans would almost certainly decline any offer constructed around that framework. For the Lakers, this effectively closes the door on their preferred scenario. Unless New Orleans’ stance changes dramatically — something league observers do not expect — Jones will remain out of reach.

2. Lakers’ Assets Viewed Less Favorably Around the League

Beyond the Jones pursuit, the Lakers’ broader challenge lies in their restricted draft flexibility. According to the report, teams across the league have reevaluated the value of Los Angeles’ distant future first-round pick, which would likely convey in 2031 or 2032. Once considered a potential high-upside asset, that selection is now being viewed more cautiously. Executives reportedly point to Mark Walter’s stewardship of the Los Angeles Dodgers as evidence that the franchise is unlikely to experience a steep decline in the coming years. That expectation reduces the perceived volatility — and therefore the potential upside — of a pick so far down the line. This skepticism limits Los Angeles’ ability to enter negotiations for top-tier defenders. Even players outside the Jones tier, such as Sacramento’s Keon Ellis, may require offers that exceed what the Lakers can realistically assemble. The scarcity of defensive-minded guards and wings only further inflates market prices. As teams across the league continue to value their perimeter stoppers highly, the Lakers’ path toward meaningful roster upgrades becomes increasingly narrow.

3. Internal Solutions Take Center Stage as Market Stalls

With external options limited, the Lakers are leaning heavily on internal improvement. LeBron James’ ramp-up continues after missing all of preseason and the season’s opening month, and his increasing rhythm remains crucial to stabilizing both ends of the floor. The team also awaits more consistent availability from Marcus Smart, who has already missed 10 games and played alongside James only sparingly. Those absences have contributed to inconsistency on the defensive end, where the Lakers remain in need of reliable point-of-attack options. Without a clear path to adding one through trade, the team may need to rely on schematic tweaks and incremental growth from its current personnel. The upcoming schedule provides little room for error. Los Angeles begins a four-game road trip Sunday against Phoenix, looking to rebound from its NBA Cup quarterfinal loss to San Antonio. Meanwhile, the Pelicans — firmly outside any trade discussions involving Jones — aim to stop a seven-game skid as they host Portland. As the trade market takes shape, the Lakers face the challenge of improving from within while the ideal upgrade stays firmly off-limits.