Although the Los Angeles Lakers have a 13-4 record and are in second place in the Western Conference, the jury is still out on whether they are true championship contenders.

Many would say they aren’t quite at that level, and such people cite the Lakers’ lack of above-average perimeter defenders and overall speed and athleticism. A trade or two will likely be needed for the team to have a real shot at going all the way this coming spring and summer.

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One NBA scout identified Herbert Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans as the possible missing piece for Los Angeles and feels the team needs to do whatever it can do to land the forward.

Via Lakers Daily:

“Rob [Pelinka] should be calling New Orleans non-stop trying to trade for Herb once he’s eligible to be moved,” the NBA scout said. “Their best perimeter defender is a 31-year-old Marcus Smart who doesn’t even start. Vando (Jarred Vanderbilt) is a great defender, but he’s unplayable in the playoffs because of his offensive limitations.

“As currently constructed, the Lakers will get waxed by Denver, OKC and Houston because they don’t have athletic defenders on the perimeter. They need a stout defender who can also hit 3s. Herb fits that bill perfectly and New Orleans is open for business.”

Jones, 27, hasn’t gotten off to a good start this season, but he’s just two seasons removed from being named to the All-Defensive First Team. That season, he averaged 11 points a game and shot 49.8% from the field and 41.8% from 3-point range.

At 6-foot-7, he can play both forward positions and perhaps even get some minutes at the shooting guard spot. He’s out of action right now with a calf ailment and cannot be traded until Jan. 14, 2026, due to the three-year contract extension he signed in July.

“A starting five of Luka [Doncic], Austin [Reaves], LeBron [James], Rui [Hachimura] and Deandre [Ayton] is not competing for a championship,” the NBA scout said. “That’s five guys who can’t play a lick of defense. LeBron can do it a little when he tries, but he’s 40, man. Give him some slack and trade for a guy like Jones who can cover for him, Austin and Luka.”

Jones possesses the type of athleticism the Lakers badly need on both ends of the floor. They currently rank 15th in defensive rating, and although they’re fifth in points off turnovers per game and seventh in opponents’ turnover percentage, they’re only 22nd in fast-break points per game.

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The forward makes $13.9 million this season, so he shouldn’t be too expensive for them to acquire, at least in terms of player compensation. The question is what type of draft compensation it would take for L.A. to pry him free.

The Pelicans are in last place in the Western Conference with a 3-15 record, and they’re one team that could be a seller before the Feb. 5 trade deadline.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: NBA scout says Lakers should trade for former All-Defensive forward