Lakers monitoring trade market, target Pelicans wing Herbert Jones
lakers-monitoring-trade-market-target-herbert-jones
The Los Angeles Lakers are scouring the NBA trade landscape for a defensive-minded wing and have zeroed in on New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones, according to a report from Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
League sources described Jones as one of the top “three-and-D” options who could conceivably be pried loose, though his actual availability remains uncertain. New Orleans has reportedly shown no desire to move the 27-year-old and still considers him a long-term cornerstone. Executives around the league believe that stance might change only if an especially strong proposal lands on the Pelicans’ desk.
Jones has appeared in 19 games this season, averaging 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists while hitting just under 40 percent of his shots. Offense, however, is secondary to his appeal; the former second-round selection earned First Team All-Defensive honors last year and is widely viewed as one of the league’s most versatile perimeter stoppers.
Los Angeles entered Thursday with an 18-7 record, good for third place in the Western Conference, yet sits in the middle of the pack in both points allowed and overall defensive efficiency. Team officials believe shoring up that end of the floor is essential to sustaining a championship push, and Jones is considered an ideal fit for that objective.
The key question now: whether the Pelicans will pick up the phone.
Source: Hoops Wire
