Kawhi Leonard is the LA Clippers player generating the most buzz in trade rumors right now. But for the Los Angeles Lakers, he’s not the guy they should be focused on. Instead, the Lakers should look at Derrick Jones Jr. He’s an elite athlete, a solid defender, and he’s already played with Luka Doncic before.
Though the Lakers could have some room to make a big-swing trade this summer, they also need to plan out the depth around Doncic and Austin Reaves moving forward. Jones is the exact type of player who could help them in a variety of roles. He worked well with Doncic in Dallas, so why couldn’t it work in LA?
It’s not all about Leonard. Jones is the real trade target the Lakers should be focused on when it comes to their cross-town rivals.
Lakers should consider a Derrick Jones Jr. trade
Jones has been a great role player for most of his NBA career, but he really burst onto the scene as a top-notch depth guy during his one-year stint with the Dallas Mavericks.
For most of the year, he started at the forward position alongside PJ Washington. Supporting Doncic, he and the Mavericks ended up making a run to the NBA Finals that season, eventually losing to the Boston Celtics.
Since then, he’s spent his time with the Clippers. The last two years, to be exact. In fact, his year with the Mavs got him paid, and LA was the team that signed him.
Still, he’s on a pretty decent contract compared to the value he brings to the table on the floor. Jones will make just under $10.5 million next season, and he will be on an expiring contract.
That would be an easy contract for the Lakers to take on in a trade, especially if the Clippers don’t see him as a big part of their future (which they may not).
As noted, Leonard has been taking up most of the trade headlines for the Clippers this summer, and it makes sense why. At his best, Leonard is one of the best players in the league. There are bound to be a ton of teams interested in trading for him.
However, when it comes to the Clippers, the Lakers need to think smaller. Not every move they make needs to be a swing for the fences.
Bringing Jones in would give them a quality two-way forward who can help their point-of-attack defense and give Doncic a lob threat. That’s a worthwhile addition.
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