While this is the quiet part of the NBA's calendar, there is always that remote chance that the Los Angeles Lakers make another move to fortify their roster, despite the drama that is taking place regarding their ownership situation.
The team would love to get its hands on a two-way wing or forward, especially one that is good enough to consistently start. Perimeter defense is still regarded as a weakness that it has, and it could also use a little more 3-point shooting.
Sai Mohan of Heavy Sports proposed a mock trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, a team that is clearly headed downward, that would give the Lakers not one but two two-way players who could move the needle significantly. In this one, they would give up forward Jarred Vanderbilt,
wing Dalton Knecht, guard Jaden Hardy, three second-round draft picks and a first-round pick swap while receiving guard Kris Dunn and wing Derrick Jones Jr.
Mohan outlined exactly how Dunn and Jones would help move the proverbial needle.
"Dunn and Jones would instantly solve a lot of those issues," Mohan wrote, referring to the Lakers' defensive issues. "Jones would also bring something proven: elite postseason defense and instant chemistry with [Luka] Doncic. During the Mavericks’ 2024 NBA Finals run, he started every game, averaging 9.1 PPG on 37% shooting from three while locking down Paul George, Jalen Williams and Anthony Edwards in consecutive playoff series. That proven track should be enough for the Lakers to pursue him.
"As for Dunn, the veteran guard continues to be one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. In the 2024-25 season, he was key to the Clippers finishing with the third-best defense in the league. Many felt he was robbed of an All-Defensive honor."
If the Lakers were to do this trade, Jones could become their fifth starter alongside Doncic, Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler and most likely Quentin Grimes. Last season, he averaged 10.1 points in 27 minutes a game while shooting 49.9% from the field and 35.9% from 3-point range. He isn't a great 3-point shooter, but he has improved enough in that category over the last couple of years to not be a liability in that department.
He's a leaper who is a strong finisher at the rim, which could make him a nice target for lob passes from Doncic. At 6-foot-6, he has a seven-foot wingspan, which helps him stifle opposing wings.
Dunn, who is 6-foot-3, has a 6-foot-9.5 wingspan and is regarded as an excellent defender. He's also a reliable 3-point shooter who hit 37.4% from that distance last season, and he can also serve as a secondary ball-handler. He even played a couple of seasons alongside Kessler and fellow Lakers newcomer Collin Sexton.
The problem with this trade proposal is that the Lakers would give up almost all of their limited trade chips, including all of their tradable draft capital. They would have to be sure that Jones and Dunn could elevate them to contender status once this new-look roster starts to build some real chemistry after a handful of months.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Mock trade gives Lakers two outstanding two-way wing defenders
