Despite onboarding nine new players this offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers remain on the lookout for a defensive-minded wing — specifically to help cover the lapses of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Amid their search, they’ve been strongly linked to P.J. Washington and Jonathan Kuminga. But one intriguing option may have been overlooked: Derrick Jones Jr., a starter on the Luka Doncic-led Dallas Mavericks that reached the 2024 NBA Finals.
A Lakers trade idea doing the rounds would see the franchise acquire Jones’ $10.4M expiring salary from the LA Clippers in a package built around Jaden Hardy.
Lakers Trade Idea Lands Defensive Wing
Lakers would receive: Derrick Jones Jr.
Clippers would receive: Jaden Hardy, 2033 second-round pick (via LAL)
Why the Lakers Do It
Jones is a far safer option than Washington or Kuminga. For starters, he isn’t owed nearly $90M over the next four seasons like Washington, making his contract virtually risk-free. Furthermore, unlike Kuminga, he isn’t seeking an immediate payday; as a one-year rental, he’ll be motivated to prove his worth and earn a lucrative deal with the Lakers next summer.
Jones may not offer Washington’s perimeter shooting or Kuminga’s high-ceiling potential, but he brings something proven: elite postseason defense and instant chemistry with Luka Doncic. In the 2024 playoffs, he started every game for Dallas, putting up 9.1 PPG on 37% shooting from three while locking down Paul George, Jalen Williams and Anthony Edwards in consecutive series en route to the NBA Finals. That proven track record will put Lakers head coach JJ Redick’s mind at ease.
Most of all, Jones can slip in nicely as the starting small forward next to Doncic, Reaves, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Walker Kessler, with new additions Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton providing offensive firepower off the bench.
Why the Clippers Do It
The Clippers have a clear logjam at the wing position after signing Rui Hacimura as a free agent this summer. Rookie Keaton Wagler is expected to start right away, while second-year wing Kobe Sanders, said to be a favorite of head coach Tye Lue, is expected to be a key member of the rotation after starting the last 16 games of last season.
The Steve Ballmer-owned franchise is projected to clear over $100M in cap space next summer, regardless of how the Kawhi Leonard situation resolves. Moving on from Derrick Jones Jr.—a player they likely have little interest in re-signing—aligns perfectly with that financial strategy.
Furthermore, incoming guard Jaden Hardy carries a manageable $6M team option for next season, giving the Clippers the flexibility to decline it if he isn’t a fit. In the interim, Hardy—who averaged a career-high 12.6 points across 23 games for Washington last season while shooting 42% from deep on 2.5 attempts—could provide reliable depth behind starting point guard Darius Garland.
Lakers Proposed to Trade for Ex-Luka Doncic Teammate to Shore Up Defense