"He just ABUSED Jokic"- LA Lakers fans strongly demand Rob Pelinka to trade for 6-foot-11 center after latest blitz against 3x MVP 

LA Lakers fans continue urging GM Rob Pelinka to make a trade. One of their top reported candidates, 6-foot-11 center Jonas Valanciunas, may have leapfrogged every other target after his latest blitz against three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. Valanciunas tallied 21 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and five blocks against the Nuggets in Saturday's 121-113 win for the Wizards.

The Denver Nuggets star has seemingly become LA's kryptonite, especially Anthony Davis', who can't find a way around the Serbian big man. Valanciunas' performance has given the Lakers fans hopes of finally ending the Nuggets and "The Joker's" juggernaut against them while also reviving their season after slumping to 12-11 following an ongoing 2-8 run.

While Nikola Jokic got the better of Jonas Valanciunas offensively after scoring 36 of his career-high 56 points against him, shooting 66.7%, the Wizards center also gave Jokic troubles on defense. Valanciunas scored all 20 points from the floor against Jokic on 8 of 14 shots.

Jokic had it going on all three levels, so there wasn't much Valanciunas could do to limit the Nuggets big. However, one of the things that stood out was his ability to match his counterpart physically, something Davis can't do, considering his lanky frame.

Valanciunas bodied Jokic early in the game, and that play alone convinced many LA Lakers fans that would be the ideal move to acquire him in the trade market.

Here's one of the reactions:

"LAKERS NEED TO TRADE FOR VALANCIUNAS, he just ABUSED Jokic."

"He appears to be auditioning," another fan said.

"Omg get rob pelinka on the phone asap," now fan added.

"Damn Valanciunas really put Jokic through it. The Lakers could use that kind of physicality in the paint.. bring him to LA ASAP," one fan wrote.

"I’ve seen enough. Trade for him. GET RID OF DLO!" one fan said.

"AD can’t do this sad," one fan wrote.

What's the latest on LA Lakers' trade talks for Jonas Valanciunas?

As Jonas Valanciunas becomes trade-eligible on Dec. 15, a week from now, trade rumors around the Wizards center are heating up, with the LA Lakers listed as one of the most prominent landing spots. The Purple and Gold have the assets to make a deal with Washington, who are expected to be among the sellers.

According to the latest report from NBA insider Michael A. Scotto, the Lakers are dangling veteran guard Gabe Vincent's $11 million salary with two second-round picks as a potential package. LA is stuffed at the guard position and primarily requires more wing and center depth.

At this point, the Lakers only need a reliable and serviceable big body next to Anthony Davis, who can take the load off the Lakers star playing most of his minutes at center. Davis has a relatively smaller frame than most of his counterparts playing at that position, making him ineffective against bigs like Nikola Jokic, Domantas Sabonis and Joel Embiid.

His skillset mainly relies on a mobile big, and with him playing more help defense next to a presence like Valanciunas alone may lift the LA Lakers on both ends.