Lakers fans react to chances of snapping Mavericks' $12,976,362 trade target - "Will ask for AR and both first" 

The LA Lakers got busy in the trade market, striking earlier than expected after trading D'Angelo Russell for Dorian Finney-Smith on Sunday. However, Russell's departure and the need for a couple of more reinforcements have left fans desiring more moves from the front office.

As the Lakers evaluate their options for the next move, trade machines, and ideas have floated around for other marquee targets. One player that's new to hit the Lakers fanbase's radar is Herbert Jones. The New Orleans Pelicans wing was in the news after a report from insider Christian Clark suggested the Dallas Mavericks are eyeing the 3-and-D specialist to shore up their frontcourt.

"The New Orleans Pelicans’ Herb Jones, who last season was the only non-center to make the NBA’s All-Defensive First Team, is one player who fits that description. But there is little belief in NBA circles that the Pelicans will actually move him," Clark wrote.

As the rumor intensified, some Lakers fans discussed the possibility of Rob Pelinkna acquiring him from New Orleans.

"A report just came out that the Dallas Mavericks are targeting Herb Jones," one fan said. "We have more assets than they do. Our picks are more valuable than theirs."

One fan said the Pelicans might ask for rising star Austin Reaves in exchange for two first-round picks.

"pels will ask for AR and both firsts and if not they’ll tell us f*ck off"

Another believed the Pelicans wouldn't move Jones.

"Pelicans ain’t trading him tho. Him and Trey are their only untouchables."

One fan said:

"ill take herb jones and kessler if thats humanly possible"

One fan claimed the Pelicans will not negotiate deals with the Lakers.

"They're also.... Not the Lakers. Pelicans aren't gonna deal with us"

Another raised the same concern.

"Jones would be nice but with all the bad blood would the Pelicans trade with us"

Lakers can realistically acquire Herbert Jones, but Pelicans unlikely to trade wing

Logistically, acquiring Herbert Jones can be possible for the Lakers. They have the contracts to match Jones' $12,976,362 salary and access to two tradeable first-round picks and three in total (2029, 2030, and 2031). However, the Pelicans are unlikely to trade the 26-year-old.

It's a luxury to have someone of the 2024 First Team All-Defensive player's caliber on the roster in the modern-day NBA. Jones can take up the toughest assignments on the perimeter nightly and knock down 3s at a respectable clip.

He's not having the best shooting seasons of his career, making only 28.8 % of his shots from beyond the arc. But that's because New Orleans has had an uneven season with stars Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram unavailable.

With the Pelicans possibly heading into a rebuild, Herbert Jones is one of the players they might retain. His value could be much higher in the future, and they can flip him for win-now star talents once they are nearing the end of their potential rebuild.