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The New Orleans Pelicans have informed teams around the league that Herbert Jones is not available ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline, spelling bad news for the Los Angeles Lakers, who had the All-Defensive wing atop their wishlist of trade targets, per multiple insiders.
According to insider Chris Haynes, the Pelicans have made Jones and four other core players untouchable in trades, even as they face an uphill task to clinch a play-in spot.
“Sources: New Orleans Pelicans are disappointing the market in informing teams that Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears will remain with the organization past Feb. 5 trade deadline,” Haynes reported on X.
Top Lakers Trade Target: Reports
No other player has been linked more to the Lakers by scouts and league insiders than Jones, per The Athletic’s Dan Woike. When the Lakers inquired about Jones in early December, they were reportedly shot down, even though the defensive ace can’t be traded before the Jan. 15 restriction expires on his new contract extension.
Woike reported last month that the Pelicans had no interest in a potential Lakers trade package of Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent or Maxi Kleber and a first-round pick.
“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,” Woike reported on Dec. 11 on the Lakers’ trade pursuit for Herb Jones.
“Maybe the view of the Lakers’ assets or the Pelicans’ view of Jones will change between now and the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline, but as of now, sources point out, New Orleans would need a whole lot to be convinced otherwise,” added the Lakers beat writer.
What Next for Lakers?
Even if the Pelicans were to entertain the idea of trading Jones to the Lakers, they would seek a minimum of two unprotected first-round picks, per ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, an asking price they can’t match before the offseason.
With Herbert Jones all but out of the equation, the Lakers could shift their focus to other rumored trade targets such as Keon Ellis, Andrew Wiggins and Daniel Gafford.
The Lakers may have a realistic pathway to acquire Ellis, with reports indicating that the Sacramento Kings have set an asking price of one first-round pick for the 3-and-D guard. However, Forbes’ Evan Sidery reported last week that the Lakers are hesitant to give up their only first-rounder for a relatively unknown commodity like Ellis.
“The Lakers recently checked in with the Kings on Keon Ellis,” Sidery reported on Jan. 6. “Sacramento is seeking at least a 1st-round pick for Ellis, who is viewed as a well above-average 3-and-D guard. Los Angeles is willing to include Dalton Knecht, but they currently only have one tradable pick in 2031.”
The Lakers (23-13) suffered a tough loss to the Milwaukee Bucks (17-21) on Friday, falling to the fifth seed in the West. JJ Redick’s team has only a one-game lead over the seventh-seeded Phoenix Suns (23-15) and is in danger of falling to the play-in bracket.