Los Angeles Lakers: 5 role players to consider trading for

4. Tyus Jones

Do the Lakers need another ball-handler? Not really. Do they need a small guard who’ll more than likely struggle defensively? No, they do not. Do they need a point guard who maybe looks to score? It couldn’t hurt. Do they need somebody, anybody, that can knock down a 3-point shot? Yes, desperately. Tyus Jones can be that guy for them.

Yes, the Lakers already have Lonzo and Rondo at the point. Yes, Rondo is a good solid point guard, and Lonzo has star potential. They’re both incredibly distributors, but when it comes to looking for their own shot, well let’s say they lack in that department.

Don’t be surprised when there are nights this season where the two will fail to combine for twenty points. The Lakers need another guard who will force defenders to be honest. One who can knock down at least enough shots that defense respects him. One who may just be looking to score, and will prevent the defense from predictable sagging off and clogging passing lanes.

Jones is not a sharpshooter by any means, he’s averaging 38.5 percent on 2.6 attempts a game, and he’s never finished a season shooting better than that, but at least he forces the defense to be honest.

He’s a hard-nosed player who tries to make up for any physical limitations with effort and intensity. He won the NCAA championship in college with Duke and knows what it’s like to be a winner. He would fit right in on this Lakers’ team of young, gritty, hungry players.

What’s even better, is apparently Thibodeau that is not all that high on Jones. Last season, Thibs inadvertently sabotaged his own team, by taking out guys like Jones who were playing very well, and instead played guys like Derrick Rose.

Jones served as the team’s 3rd string point guard. Apparently, Thib’s thinks we’re still in 2011, so the chances of Jones moving up in that order are slim, despite his solid play. He was a plus player for the Wolves last season, and the numbers through seven games this season are even better. Yet for whatever reason, Wolves’ management continues to undervalue him and his minutes are down.

With all the turmoil in the Wolves locker room recently, a change of scenery could do wonders for Jones. The Lakers need to take advantage of this and strike. A second rounder and bottom roster player should be enough to get it done.