The 2 players that the Lakers want to sign to improve their defense
The Los Angeles franchise is very interested in acquiring Herb Jones and Keon Ellis this winter in the NBA market
Los Angeles Lakers are moving urgently in the market ahead of the February 5 trade deadline, with a clear goal: to strengthen their perimeter defense that is well below expectations in the NBA. Despite having one of the most productive offenses in the league, defensive shortcomings are limiting their competitive ceiling. The latest example came on Thursday when they allowed 78 points to Utah in the first half, a number that set off all alarms within the organization.
The numbers support this concern. The Lakers rank 21st in defensive efficiency, a particularly worrying stat considering that all teams currently in the top eight of each conference have better records in that area. According to JJ Redick, the diagnosis is clear and he publicly expressed it this week: the role players surrounding Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James must be able to defend and shoot threes. The problem is that such a profile is scarce... and highly sought after.
"There are not many," acknowledged an executive from the Eastern Conference. "And everyone wants one."
In this context, one of the most attractive names for the Lakers is Herb Jones, although his availability is practically nonexistent. The New Orleans Pelicans have informed interested teams that they do not consider trading him at a price that Los Angeles could afford. Even by offering an unprotected first-round pick and equivalent salary —an option that would only be viable when Jones becomes eligible for trade in January—, the operation seems unfeasible.
Jones signed a three-year, $68 million extension last preseason, and his elite defensive profile typically demands a combination of premium draft capital and promising youth. With an average annual salary of $22.5 million, his contract is even more affordable than those of other coveted wings such as Cameron Johnson or Jonathan Kuminga, further increasing his value in the market.
The name of Keon Ellis
Another name that appears on the radar is Keon Ellis from the Sacramento Kings, who could be available before the deadline as he enters free agency this summer. According to league sources, the current asking price set by the Kings would be a protected first-round pick. Ellis is a peculiar case in front offices: he is highly regarded among scouts but has had limited minutes under two different coaching staffs, causing divisions.
"He may be the most controversial player in the league," noted a source. Statistically, Ellis has a 42% three-point percentage in his career, but there are doubts about his defensive consistency. Some evaluators appreciate his ability to force turnovers, while others question his actual impact in containing direct opponents and his size against more physical point guards.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Los 2 jugadores que quieren fichar los Lakers para mejorar su defensa