NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers Urged to Land $13.9M Forward to Help LeBron James Defensively 

NBA insider Kevin O'Connor has advised the Los Angeles Lakers to help LeBron James defensively. The Lakers have been off to a solid start, boasting a 15-5 record. Before Monday's loss to the Phoenix Suns, they were on a seven-game winning streak.

The Lakers have a top-five offensive ceiling with James, Doncic and Austin Reaves as the key architects. But on defense, LA hasn't been a top 10 team at any point.

O'Connor believes the Lakers must bring an upgrade at the deadline as it might help them compete better against favorites like the OKC Thunder, Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets, especially after their early run.

He named Pelicans' Herbert Jones as a target the Lakers must pursue to address their concerns during Monday's episode of his podcast, "The Kevin O'Connor Show":

"Why not go get somebody like a Herb Jones? Like, make an offer for it. You know, give Gabe Vincent, maybe Dalton Knecht, a future first (round pick). Maybe a little bit more if you have to. One of the swaps possibly to the Pelicans. ... Because I think the team is that legit offensively.

O'Connor believes the Lakers could be a borderline top-10 defense if they add Jones. Despite turning 41 later this month, James is the team's quarterback on defense. However, he isn't well supported as the Lakers lack footspeed and a point-of-attack presence who can keep up with the opposing team's lead ball-handler or scorer.

Jones would take up that role if the Lakers manage to trade for him. The former First-Team All-Defensive Team player is 27 and can be a long-term fit for the Lakers. He has two years left on his deal and is making $13.9 million this season (per Spotrac).

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The Lakers may not have enough to trade for Herbert Jones

Herbert Jones would be a perfect addition to the Lakers' roster. However, as lucrative as it sounds, LA potentially doesn't have the assets it needs to make a run at him. Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, Maxi Kleber and Dalton Knecht are their most tradeable contracts, and none have a great market value.

The Lakers only have one first-round pick to trade this deadline, along with pick swaps, which won't be as attractive considering LA is expected to be a playoff contender for several years with Luka Doncic as the franchise centerpiece. LA's chances of landing Jones will likely depend on the Pelicans' urgency to trade him.

He's under contract through 2030, so New Orleans seemingly has the leverage to wait for the best packages. Another scenario is the lack of a market for Jones. LA can entice the Pelicans to trade him at a more affordable price.