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Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers passes the ball as he is pressured by Herbert Jones #2 and Jeremiah Fears #0 of the the New Orleans Pelicans during the second quarter of an 2025 Emirates NBA Cup game at Smoothie King Center on November 14, 2025
It’s one of the NBA’s worst-kept secrets that the Los Angeles Lakers are pursuing New Orleans Pelicans wing Herb Jones ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline. Amid the widespread reports, the All-Defensive forward was called “a Laker” by a fan after the Pelicans beat the Chicago Bulls, 114-104, on Sunday night.
As seen in the clip below, a fan at the United Center in Chicago had some words for Jones after Sunday’s game.
“Herbert Jones, you’re a Laker, my boy,” the fan yelled from the stands, causing Jones to react with a perplexed look.
“Huh?” Jones said as he walked back to the tunnel.
Lakers Trade Rumors Intensify
One wonders whether Herb Jones thought the Lakers pulled off a trade for him during Sunday’s game, and that the fan was informing him of the blockbuster news.
That sort of interaction wouldn’t be a first in the modern NBA, given the cutthroat nature of the business. Even generational stars like Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis were not aware that they had been swapped for each other during last year’s deadline. Similarly, a Miami Heat fan in the audience informed Jimmy Butler III that the Golden State Warriors had pulled off a trade for him shortly before last season’s deadline.
As such, it’s perfectly reasonable that the Pelicans would not inform Jones if and when a trade materializes for him, be it to the Lakers or any other team.
Besides Jones, some of the rumored Lakers trade targets include Miami Heat’s Andrew Wiggins, Sacramento Kings‘ Keon Ellis and Dallas Mavericks‘ Daniel Gafford. All three players can help shore up the Lakers’ mediocre defense, which ranks 20th in the NBA.
What Herb Jones Could Cost
A player like Jones, who made the All-Defensive First Team in 2024, would be an incredible fit on a Lakers team that has three subpar perimeter defenders — Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and LeBron James — in the starting unit.
That said, the Pelicans may not be very keen on a potential Lakers trade package of either Rui Hachimura or Gabe Vincent and a first-round draft pick. According to The Athletic’s Dan Woike, the Pelicans are seeking much more for their defensive ace.
“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.
Woike added Pelicans’ stance could change, but is unlikely.
“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,” wrote the L.A. beat writer.
Jones is averaging 1.4 made threes per game this season, establishing himself as one of the NBA’s best 3-and-D players. His numbers will almost surely spike playing next to three excellent playmakers like LeBron James, Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic. He’s never had the luxury of playing next to great decision-makers in his time in NOLA.
Sai Mohan covers the NBA for Heavy.com. Based in Portugal, Sai is a seasoned sports writer with nearly two decades of publishing experience, including bylines at Yardbarker, FanSided’s Hoops Habit, International Business Times, Hindustan Times and more. More about Sai Mohan
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