The LA Lakers have been on a roll this season, barging to a top-four seed in the stacked Western Conference with a 17-7 record. However, the team has a glaring problem with their perimeter defense, an issue most pundits believe will hold them back in the postseason. With such concern, the Lakers have been rumored to be on the hunt for a solid perimeter defender like New Orleans Pelicans' Herb Jones. Those dreams, however, have taken a massive hit, as The Athletic reports that the Pelicans are not willing to trade Jones, especially to the Lakers, whose squad has limited assets. "League sources tell The Athletic that New Orleans is not interested in moving Jones," The Athletic's Dan Woike wrote. "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.”Jones signed a three-year deal last offseason, making him ineligible to be traded until mid-January. Jones has appeared in 17 games so far this season, averaging 9.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. The Pelicans have struggled this season with just three wins in their first 25 games. Meanwhile, the Lakers have leaned on the likes of Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia to anchor their perimeter defense. Luka Doncic has been carrying the offseason for the Lakers with averages of 35.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game. Austin Reaves backs him up with 27.8 points per game, while LeBron James has slowly eased himself back in the lineup with 16.5 points per game in his eight appearances this season. NBA insider says Lakers have realistic chance of adding wing defender in the next monthWhile talks about Herb Jones' trade to the Lakers remained bleak, the Lakers still have a chance of adding a wing defender in the coming month, according to NBA insider Brian Windhorst. On Threads, Windhorst said that the Lakers could be trading for a wing defender if they are willing to absorb expenses for the coming seasons and dump an expiring deal before the trade deadline. "Yes, absolutely. If they are willing to take on money past this year and swap out an expiring contract. By next month, we'll have a feel for who might be available in this type of deal," he wrote. Windhorst's Threads postFor now, the Lakers will need to stick on their current roster as they look to continue their steady rise in the West.