The Los Angeles Lakers may have seen their season end earlier than hoped, but the franchise continues to dominate headlines.
From the futures of LeBron James and Austin Reaves to the possibility of league-leading salary cap flexibility, free agency, trade speculation, and draft targets, it is shaping up to be a busy summer in Los Angeles.
Before free agency and the trade market fully take over the conversation, however, the Lakers must first navigate the NBA Draft on June 23 and 24.
Lakers Could Trade First-Round Pick in Win-Now Move
The Lakers currently own the No. 25 overall pick and are expected to have several intriguing wing and frontcourt prospects available when they are on the clock.
There is also a realistic scenario in which Los Angeles elects to move the pick in an effort to acquire established talent capable of helping immediately.
NBA reporter Evan Sidery has floated that possibility and proposed a trade framework that would address two of the Lakers’ most pressing needs in wing depth and frontcourt help.
Lakers receive: Herbert Jones and Yves Missi
New Orleans Pelicans receive: Dalton Knecht, Jake LaRavia, No. 25 pick, 2031 first-round pick
Sidery described the draft night proposal as a “win-now” move for Los Angeles.
He has also recently reinforced the Lakers’ interest in Jones, claiming the franchise is “zeroing in” on the Pelicans forward as a trade target this offseason.
“After making a push for Jones around the trade deadline, Los Angeles will once again inquire with the Pelicans,” Sidery wrote. “A package centered around Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht and draft capital is a salary match.”
Although Jones’ availability remained unclear at the trade deadline, there have been indications that New Orleans could revisit his market value this summer.
LA Remain Linked to Herb Jones, Wing Depth
Across 56 games this season, Jones averaged 8.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.6 steals while shooting 38.3% from the field and 30.9% from three-point range.
The 27-year-old appeared in just 20 games during the 2024-25 campaign after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury that required surgery.
Jones is entering the final year of a four-year, $53 million contract and is set to earn $14.8 million in 2026-27. However, he has already agreed to a three-year, $67 million veteran extension that will keep him under contract through the 2029-30 season.
That deal provides long-term cost certainty for any team interested in acquiring him, with Jones set to earn roughly $20.8 million annually before a $24.1 million player option in the final year of the extension.
Bleacher Report analyst Eric Pincus previously identified Jones as a potential Lakers target and outlined an even more ambitious trade proposal that also included Trey Murphy III.
Pincus suggested Los Angeles send Vanderbilt, LaRavia, Adou Thiero, Knecht, the No. 25 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, a 2031 first-round pick, and a 2033 first-round pick to New Orleans in exchange for Jones, Missi, and Murphy.
A move of that magnitude would dramatically reshape the Lakers’ wing rotation while also adding much-needed size, athleticism, and physicality in the frontcourt through Missi.
Whether Rob Pelinka and the Lakers’ revamped front office are willing to part with that level of future draft capital, potentially limiting their flexibility in future superstar pursuits, remains to be seen.
Proposed Draft Day Trade Lands Lakers Top Target in “Win-Now” Move