Adam Silver's hammer of justice came down on Wednesday, and boy oh boy were the Los Angeles Clippers dealt a brutal blow. Five first-round picks, multiple suspensions, fines, you name it. Everyone across the league was dunking on their misfortune in the fallout of the Kawhi Leonard scandal.
The Los Angeles Lakers should view this moment with the opportunistic lens it calls for. They still have a starting forward problem, and the Clippers have long held a workable solution to help patch that hole up. That would be Derrick Jones Jr., of course.
Jones is entering the last year of his three-year, $30 million deal in 2026-27. Expiring contracts tend to be on the move, and the Clippers have plenty of incentive to be seeking any type of draft capital they can get after losing first-round picks in 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, and 2033.
For anyone who has seen Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, hear the sound of Robert Pattinson's voice in your head as the Clips get called out for what they are at this current time — beggars. The Lakers may not be overflowing with picks, but even a couple of second-rounders should look good to the miserable little brother in Los Angeles.
Clippers' desperate state makes it the perfect time to call about Derrick Jones Jr.
The Clippers are not stuck without first-round draft capital altogether, especially if the Leonard trade is ultimately finalized with the Toronto Raptors after Kawhi escaped everything but a fine. Even so, they need everything they can get right now to boost their bleak future.
Viewing that as a major opportunity should be the right approach here for all other 29 teams, including the Lakers. It is time to pick the scraps of the Clippers' franchise.
Jones is not the only Clipper who should warrant intrigue from Rob Pelinka. However, for the Lakers' most pressing need, the veteran forward clearly takes precedence.
There is known chemistry with Luka Doncic. That is always going to be relevant in this new era of Lakers basketball.
Jones is also the type of low-maintenace offensive player that prioritizes the defensive end who would complete the starting five to perfection. You would have a harder time finding reasons not to pick up the phone right now, if you were the Lakers.
With how easy the money is to make match in a deal, poking around on just how highly DJJ is valued should be in the cards for Pelinka. Just because one team in Los Angeles is suffering, does not mean both need to be. Lakers can give the city one team to feel good about.
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