"Herb Jones Welcome to LA": Lakers Fans React to $18,483,220 Trade Chip's Poster Dunk Amid Uncertain Future

NBA trade season has arrived, and as usual, the LA Lakers sit at the center of speculation as they look to upgrade their roster in pursuit of a record-setting 18th championship. And Lakers fans had reason to get excited when one of the team’s potential trade assets delivered a standout performance in the G League.

In the South Bay Lakers’ 127-118 victory over the San Diego Clippers, Dalton Knecht, who is signed to a four-year, $18,483,220 contract, threw down a thunderous dunk that fired up fans.

Several fans reacted enthusiastically to Knecht’s showing, as he poured in 30 points on 10-of-17 shooting to lead South Bay to the win, with some pleased that his performance could boost his trade value and ready to see him moved.

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“demon raising that trade value🔥🔥 herb jones welcome to LA💜💛,” one fan said. “yeah get that trade value up lol,” another said. “Lakers need to just let him go, he ain’t go blossom over there man,” another said.

Here are other reactions.

Knecht has continued to slide further down the Lakers’ rotation, and this season he is averaging just 6.4 points and 1.9 rebounds in 15.1 minutes per game, all of which are declines from his rookie campaign last year.

The 24-year-old has emerged as one of the Lakers’ most realistic trade chips as the franchise reportedly looks to make marginal improvements around the roster.

Can the Lakers trade Dalton Knecht for Herb Jones?

The Lakers are widely expected to test the trade market in hopes of improving their defensive identity. One name that has surfaced in those discussions is Pelicans wing Herb Jones, one of the NBA’s most highly regarded defensive players.

While Jones would provide an immediate defensive boost for LA, there is a significant obstacle, according to The Athletic’s Dan Woike.

“While Lakers fans can fantasize about some all-out liquidation of the three-win Pelicans’ roster, team and league sources tell The Athletic that New Orleans is not interested in moving Jones,” Woike reported last week. “And considering what LA would have to offer in a deal, expiring contracts and a single first-round pick, the Pelicans almost certainly wouldn’t engage at that price point.”

A deal in which the Lakers send Knecht, along with expiring guard Gabe Vincent, to the Pelicans for Jones would be financially viable, but Jones cannot be traded until January. If a bidding war were to emerge, it remains to be seen whether LA could outmaneuver rival teams.

Edited by John Ezekiel Hirro