Lakers Could Have A Sneaky Way To Land Derrick Jones Jr.
The Los Angeles Lakers still have a need on the wing after missing out on Jonathan Kuminga. They could address it without making another major trade, and one familiar name may give them that option. Derrick Jones Jr. already knows how to play alongside Luka Doncic from their time together in Dallas. Now Trevor Lane [...]
The Los Angeles Lakers, still seeking a wing player after missing out on Jonathan Kuminga, could secure Derrick Jones Jr. without making another major trade. Familiarity with Luka Doncic, who played together in Dallas, makes Jones an ideal fit. Trevor Lane, the Lakers' assistant general manager, believes Los Angeles could wait for a better deal with the Clippers instead of forcing one.
Lane suggested Los Angeles could use the midlevel exception to bring Jones in next summer when he enters free agency. Jones would already have knowledge of playing alongside Doncic from their time in Dallas, making him a proven choice. The Lakers would benefit from a defender who can play without needing the ball, understand the demands of playing with Doncic, and is familiar with the Lakers' system.
Waiting for the right opportunity could result in Jones becoming available later, eliminating the need for a splashy trade.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
