Lakers Trade Rumors: Rob Pelinka Makes Major Move in Pursuit of $53,827,872 Target Who Fits Luka Doncic Timeline 

The LA Lakers have been one of the most active teams already in the market, with the February trade deadline less than eight weeks away. Despite boasting an 18-7 record, the fourth-best in the league, LA's roster is evidently flawed. One of the major issues is the point of attack defense.

Barring Marcus Smart, who at 31 isn't any closer to his Defensive Player of the Year caliber play, LA doesn't have a reliable defensive stopper on the perimeter. One name consistently linked with the Lakers over the past few weeks has been Herbert Jones.

According to the latest trade rumor from NBA insider Chris Haynes as of Sunday, the Rob Pelinka-led Lakers front office has already reached out to the Pelicans.

Underdog NBA

@UnderdogNBA

Haynes: Lakers have made calls to Pelicans regarding Herb Jones.

As many predicted, the New Orleans Pelicans could become midseason sellers after managing only five wins in 27 games. Jones could be one of the many candidates with whom they could part ways. The 27-year-old is slightly older for their rebuild around Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears.

Currently in the third season of his $53,827,872 four-year deal, Herb Jones is under contract through 2030. The Lakers are considering options on the same timeline as Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, who are 26 and 27 years old.

Fullcourtpass

@Fullcourtpass

The Lakers trade preference is to target players in the same age range as Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, per @TheSteinLine “League sources say that the Lakers would naturally like to be in the 3-and-D market this Trade Season, but it's a very limited market at this juncture”

Jones fits that timeline. However, the Pelicans may have a high asking price for him. He could be a coveted target closer to February, and multiple suitors could outbid the Lakers, who only have one first-round pick to trade.

NBACentral

@TheDunkCentral

The Pelicans are not interested in trading Herb Jones to the Lakers, per @DanWoikeSports ​“While Lakers fans can fantasize about some all-out liquidation of the three-win Pelicans’ roster, 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.”

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Lakers Trade Rumors: Limited market outside Herb Jones to scope out

The Lakers may not make a significant trade before the deadline. According to NBA insider Marc Stein's report from Sunday, the 3-and-D market is limited. Most contenders are holding out on such players. The ones potentially available, like Herb Jones and Keon Ellis, might be out of LA's reach.

Not only would they have high asking prices, but their current teams are also unlikely to trade them directly to the Lakers due to their conference rivalries. Almost every team is aware that LA might be a move or two away from being a legitimate threat, so the negotiations will be difficult to handle for Rob Pelinka and Co.

Nevertheless, they've managed to dig themselves out of these situations numerous times, so it won't be surprising to see them land a coveted target despite the challenges.