Lakers Must Trade for Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones to Help Luka, LA's Title Chances Amid NBA Rumors

The Los Angeles Lakers are one of a handful of teams interested in potentially acquiring Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones from the New Orleans Pelicans, per Clutch Points' Chris Dodson.

He wrote:

"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."

The Lakers are 5-2 thus far in the 2026-27 NBA season, and while there has been plenty to be excited about on the court, there are two areas that the team must improve to contend in the loaded Western Conference: defense and on the wings.

Murphy has great length and, more importantly, is mobile on the wing. Jones shares similar length but has even better anticipation than his teammate, allowing him to jump routes and shots.

It is unlikely the Lakers could make a trade for both players, if for no other reason that they simply do not have the assets necessary to pull it off. Such a deal would drain the team's draft picks, with only the 2031 and 2033 picks unprotected.

Even adding one of the two would be a significant upgrade for a team that has NBA title aspirations, with one of the league's best players, Luka Doncic, leading the way. It will not be easy, and would likely still cost the organization significantly but the team has to at least take its shot.

Through the first seven games, Doncic is averaging 37.7 points per game, is shooting 43.2 percent from beyond the arc, 48.2 percent from the floor, and is tallying 8.2 rebounds and 7.3 assists.

To maximize the team's potential and make the most of Doncic's otherworldly play, the team has to improve those two areas if it wants to make a legitimate run at the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Making a deal for Murphy or Jones is the best, most surefire option.