Lakers Trade Rumors: Anonymous Scout Urges Rob Pelinka to Pursue Pelicans' $97 Million Versatile Defender Citing Weaknesses in LA's Defensive Rotation

Despite the LA Lakers having the third-best record in the Western Conference, an anonymous scout has advised Rob Pelinka to make a trade. The Lakers' defense has been subpar this season, with their offense, led by Luka Doncic, bailing them out.

Speaking to Ashish Mathur of Lakers Daily, an anonymous scout urged Pelinka to go after New Orleans Pelicans wing defender Herb Jones. The Pelicans could be sellers at the trade deadline, so Jones could be made available. The scout thinks that Jones is an upgrade to Jarred Vanderbilt, whose offense is nearly nonexistent.

"Rob Pelinka should be calling New Orleans non-stop trying to trade for Herb once he’s eligible to be moved," the scout said. "Their best perimeter defender is a 31-year-old Marcus Smart, who doesn’t even start. Vando is a great defender, but he’s unplayable in the playoffs because of his offensive limitations."

The scout added that the LA Lakers won't have a shot at beating teams like the Denver Nuggets, OKC Thunder, and Houston Rockets in the playoffs with their current defense. Herb Jones could make a difference, though he's ineligible to get traded until Dec. 15.

Jones signed a three-year, $68 million extension with the New Orleans Pelicans back in July. It will add up to his current contract, bringing his total deal to a five-year, $97 million. He has a player option for the 2029-30 season.

The former second-round pick is mostly known for his defense, but he has made strides on the other end of the floor. He's currently out injured but was averaging 9.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game before getting hurt.

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Ex-NBA Executive calling for Rob Pelinka's firing

Ex-NBA Executive calling for Rob Pelinka's firing. (Photo: IMAGN)

The LA Lakers are under new ownership after Mark Walter bought the franchise from Jeanie Buss and her family. While Buss and Rob Pelinka are staying for the transition, Joey and Jesse Buss have already been let go by the new people in charge.

One former NBA executive told Ashish Mathur of Lakers Daily that Walter is a close confidant of Magic Johnson. The exec feels that Pelinka needs to be fired, so the purple and gold franchise can recover its former glory.

"Rob isn't that good at his job," the exec said. "He won only one championship with LeBron and AD. He never traded for a center when LeBron and AD were practically begging him to. Mark knows that. If I was in Mark's corner, I would tell him to part ways with Rob and hire someone who didn't get their job because Kobe (Bryant) was his pal."

The Lakers have a winning record, but what if things begin to go south? It's going to be a very interesting next couple of months in Hollywood.