In what could be the NBA’s most explosive trade saga of the 2025-26 season, the Los Angeles Lakers are signaling their readiness to go all-in on New Orleans Pelicans’ defensive wizard Herbert “Herb” Jones. Despite the Pelicans’ firm stance on demanding a massive return akin to the Desmond Bane blockbuster from last summer, league insiders reveal that the Lakers are not backing down and are prepared to assemble a “franchise-altering” package to land the 6’8″ forward with his imposing 7-foot (2m13) wingspan and reliable 36.2% career three-point shooting.
Jones, 27, has emerged as the ultimate 3-and-D archetype that every contender craves. His elite perimeter defense—ranking in the top five for steals (1.7 per game), 94th percentile in deflections, and 95th percentile in forced turnovers—makes him a perfect fit for a Lakers squad languishing at 24th in defensive rating. Offensively, while his stats are modest at 9.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists, that “deadly” 36.2% from beyond the arc ensures he doesn’t clog spacing for stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis. “He’s the guy who can switch everything and knock down open threes,” one Western Conference executive told reporters. “In today’s NBA, that’s gold.”
The Pelicans, however, aren’t budging easily. Multiple reports indicate New Orleans has pegged Jones’ value at a “Desmond Bane-level haul,” referencing the June 2025 trade where the Memphis Grizzlies netted Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks, and a pick swap from the Orlando Magic for Bane. This steep ask has deterred many suitors, but the Lakers’ front office, led by Rob Pelinka, views Jones as the missing piece for a championship push. “The Lakers have checked on his availability, and so have a bunch of other teams,” noted The Athletic’s Dan Woike. “But New Orleans is holding firm unless it’s a Bane-type return.”
Why the shift in Lakers’ willingness? Currently hampered by trade rules limiting them to just one tradable first-round pick (2031 or 2032) mid-season, Los Angeles can’t fully match the ask right now. But come the offseason, the floodgates open: up to three first-rounders become available, plus an estimated $50 million in cap space. “This stuff only opens up more options for New Orleans in the summer (when the Lakers, say, could trade multiple draft picks for Jones if they really want him),” Woike added. ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel echoed this, calling Jones “high atop the Lakers’ trade wish list,” though noting the in-season price remains out of reach—but not indefinitely.
Speculative trade packages are already swirling. One hypothetical from league analysts: The Lakers could offer Rui Hachimura, rookie Dalton Knecht, and a 2031 first-round pick for Jones and young shooter Jordan Hawkins, though that might need sweetening with more picks to hit Bane-level territory. Another angle: With Jones’ three-year, $68 million extension (through 2028-29, with a player option) looking like a bargain, the Lakers see long-term value in overpaying now to stabilize their defense against elite guards like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, whom Jones has famously locked down in matchups.
Not everyone is convinced the deal materializes soon. Recent buzz suggests the Pelicans have outright declared Jones “off the market” ahead of the February 5, 2026, trade deadline, forcing the Lakers to monitor alternatives like Golden State’s Jonathan Kuminga. Still, betting odds list the Lakers as the second favorites (+500) to acquire Jones, behind only the Dallas Mavericks (+350), hinting at ongoing negotiations.
For the Lakers, acquiring Jones wouldn’t just patch their defensive woes—it could elevate them back to contender status. His switchable frame and shooting touch address their inability to contain wings and guards consistently. As one scout put it, “Jones is scarce: an elite defender on a team-friendly deal.” If the Lakers pull this off by meeting the Bane benchmark, it could be the blockbuster that reignites the purple and gold dynasty.
Stay tuned— this trade alert is heating up, and with the offseason looming, the Lakers’ willingness to pay up might just force New Orleans’ hand.
