The Los Angeles Lakers are keeping an eye on two familiar trade targets in New Orleans: Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones. Whether either becomes a realistic option, however, remains a different conversation.
According to Chris Dodson of ClutchPoints, the Lakers are among nine teams monitoring Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones. That interest doesn’t mean negotiations are underway, but it puts both Pelicans forwards back in the discussion as potential additions for Los Angeles.
“Multiple teams are monitoring the situation surrounding both Jones and Trey Murphy III. Among those mentioned by sources or seen in an arena are the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons, and Memphis Grizzlies.”
Two Familiar Targets
The Lakers have been interested in Murphy and Jones before this latest report. Chris Haynes previously said Los Angeles contacted New Orleans about both players, so this is just the latest step in their search for wing help.
It’s clear why both players are appealing. Murphy brings size and outside scoring, while Jones is known for his defense and ability to disrupt offenses. Each has a clear strength, but you need to consider their fit and trade cost.
Trey Murphy III May Be Out Of Reach
Murphy is the more attractive offensive fit because he can punish defenses for loading up on Doncic. His ability to space the floor, attack a closeout, and finish possessions would give the Lakers another scoring option without requiring them to take the ball away from their primary creator.
The problem is putting together a competitive offer. New Orleans has maintained a high asking price for Murphy, and the Lakers’ limited trade assets make it hard to envision them winning a bidding contest against teams with deeper reserves of draft capital and young talent.
That makes Murphy a sensible player to monitor but an unlikely acquisition. Unless the Pelicans change their expectations considerably, Los Angeles would need circumstances to break its way rather than simply deciding to pursue him more aggressively.
Herb Jones Affordable?
Jones presents a more complicated possibility. His reduced role early this season has created questions about his standing in New Orleans, potentially giving interested teams a reason to wait for a more favorable price.
That does not mean the Pelicans have already discounted him. Brett Siegel reported that New Orleans still wants two first-round picks, with no team willing to meet that demand. Any argument that Jones could become attainable for the Lakers depends on that asking price eventually falling.
There is also a distinction between becoming cheaper and becoming a better fit. The concerns that could soften Jones’ market are the same concerns Los Angeles would inherit by trading for him.
Fit Issues
Availability is a big concern. Jones had season-ending right shoulder surgery in February 2025 after playing only 20 games. His injury history makes any trade for him riskier.
His outside shooting raises another concern. Jones shot 41.8% from three in 2023-24, but that season was the exception rather than the norm. He has not consistently established himself as a perimeter threat opponents must respect.
For a team built around Doncic, that matters. A defender who helps contain an opposing star can still create problems offensively if his own defender feels comfortable abandoning him to crowd driving lanes. Pairing an unreliable shooter with a traditional center would make those spacing decisions even more difficult.
The Lakers should keep watching both situations, but Jones becoming more affordable would only answer the cost question. Before spending meaningful assets, Los Angeles would still need confidence that his health and shooting allow him to help the lineups that matter most.
