NBA Rumors: The player the Lakers must go after to compete for the ring
Herb Jones has been one of the best players for the New Orleans Pelicans for years, but without achieving any interesting results collectively.
Los Angeles Lakers have had one of the best off-seasons in the NBA. The franchise has reinforced virtually all the weak points in its roster with impactful moves, bringing in Walker Kessler to bolster the center position, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton to add depth on the perimeter, and Sandro Mamukelashvili to provide more interior spacing.
However, there is still a pending need: the addition of a defensive specialist capable of containing the opposing team's best perimeter player.
Herb Jones fits the Lakers' desired profile
In this context, Herb Jones emerges as an ideal candidate.
The small forward of the New Orleans Pelicans doesn't stand out for his offensive production. He averages less than nine points per game and barely exceeds 30% shooting from beyond the arc.
However, his real impact comes on defense, where he has become one of the league's most impactful players.
With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves forming the Lakers' backcourt, the team needs a versatile and reliable small forward on the defensive end. Although Quentin Grimes can also contribute in that aspect, his profile is more suited to the shooting guard position.
Therefore, the team would require a player capable of defending positions one through four. According to CraftedNBA data, Jones ranks in the 89th percentile in defensive versatility.
Moreover, he consistently stands out as one of the best players in the NBA in steals, a statistic that underscores his status as an elite on-ball defender.
An ideal complement for Doncic, Reaves, and Kessler
The arrival of Herb Jones would alleviate some of the defensive burden currently on Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, allowing them to focus even more on their offensive contributions.
Simultaneously, the combination of Jones on the perimeter and Walker Kessler protecting the paint would provide the Lakers with a pair of defensive specialists that would change the way opponents have to attack.
The Lakers' moves signal a defensive orientation
The addition of Matisse Thybulle last Monday is seen as an indication that the franchise continues to seek players with a marked defensive profile.
Furthermore, the Lakers have also been linked during free agency to several small forwards, with Jonathan Kuminga being the most prominent name.
However, Kuminga could be seeking a contract close to $20 million per season, an amount that the franchise may not be willing to take on for a player with a more offensive-oriented profile.
An objective that would fit perfectly
After addressing most of the squad's shortcomings this summer, the absence of a defensive specialist for the perimeter could become the Lakers' only weak point.
In that scenario, Herb Jones stands out as the trade target that would best address that need and as a player capable of completely resolving that aspect of the team.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rumores NBA: El jugador a por el que tienen que ir los Lakers para luchar por el anillo