The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to make one more trade before the 2026 NBA offseason ends to round out their starting lineup, and while Jonathan Kuminga remains the top rumored name, another athletic forward could be available in a deal.
According to NBA insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.com, the Los Angeles Clippers are interested in trading Derrick Jones Jr., and he’s been one name consistently linked to a cross-town move to the Lakers over the summer.
The Lakers would likely only pivot to Jones if they can’t make a sign-and-trade for Kuminga, and with any talks of adding the former NBA champion still reportedly stalled, the franchise could instead go after the Clippers’ forward to pair with Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler as a solid option in the starting lineup.
Derrick Jones Jr. Is A Viable Lakers Trade Target
GettyINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 19: Derrick Jones Jr. #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers fouls Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets on a three-point attempt with .09 left in the game at Intuit Dome on February 19, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Getty Images)
Reporting on his Clutch Scoops Show, Siegel detailed how the Clippers are interested in trading Jones as he enters the final season of his three-year, $30 million contract.
“They have a roster crunch at this point,” Siegel said. “They’re going to be looking to dump some salary between now and training camp and start of the season…We know that Derrick Jones Jr. is available in trade talks there for the Clippers.”
While only set to make $10 million next season, Jones could be more valuable on a title contender like the Lakers rather than a team in an apparent rebuild like the Clippers. Last season, he averaged 10.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 50 games. He’s still just 29 years old, and while a decent shooter, he could be the rim-running, athletic threat on the wing that could be the missing piece for the Lakers.
He already has experience playing with Doncic, and as Maxwell Ogden wrote for LakeShowLife.com, Jones’ athleticism and defensive impact make him a ‘dream outcome’ target if a Kuminga deal falls through.
“The dream outcome here would be for Derrick Jones Jr. to end up with the Lakers. Jones is an elite wing defender who excels at the point of attack, as well as a capable three-point shooter who played alongside Doncic when the Mavericks made their run to the NBA Finals,” he wrote. “Compounded by his experience alongside Doncic, Jones is the ultimate trade target. It could prove costly to bring him on, but with an expiring contract and an ideal skill set for Los Angeles’ system, it’s at least worth exploring.”
Jones’ past NBA Finals run with Doncic, cheap contract, and fit on the wings makes him a viable trade target for the Lakers looking to make one more move before the 2026-27 NBA season begins; it just comes down to what the front office is willing to give up in a deal with their cross-town rivals.
Lakers Trade Idea To Add Athletic Wing
GettyINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 24: Derrick Jones Jr. #5 of the LA Clippers during warm up before the game against the Phoenix Suns at Intuit Dome on October 24, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images).
It remains to be seen whether the Clippers would want to trade with the Lakers for Jones, and while he’d likely be a salary dump, there is a framework for a deal that could work for both sides.
Writing for Basketnews.com, Pijus Sapetka outlined a Lakers trade idea that sees the team add Jones, while the Clippers get a few young assets that have yet to prove valuable on this current Lakers roster.
Here’s his trade proposal:
Lakers receive: Derrick Jones Jr.
Clippers receive: Dalton Knecht, Adou Thiero, and a 2031 Wizards second-round pick
Sapetka had another trade idea that sees the Lakers add Jones for Jarred Vanderbilt and that same second-round pick, but if the Clippers are looking to dump his contract for young players and draft assets, the proposal above makes more sense.
The Lakers need one more forward to either play in the starting lineup or come off the bench, and though Kuminga remains the team’s top target, Jones has more experience and has a proven skill set in the league.
Kuminga could be a bigger trade risk that Los Angeles would have to give up more to bring in, and after an offseason full of roster changes, perhaps taking a smaller risk is in their best interest.
Regardless, Kuminga appears to be the Lakers’ top trade target. But with Jones seemingly available, if he could arrive for a low price, it’s certainly something Rob Pelinka and the front office should entertain before the upcoming season begins.
Lakers ‘Dream’ Trade Target Is Now Available If Kuminga Deal Falls Through: Report