The Los Angeles Lakers have looked like the best team in basketball to start the season, and there is a good reason for their early success. Their offseason plan of building around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves appears to be paying off, as the team has gotten off to an impressive start.

Doncic has been playing at an incredible level, while the defense has also shown significant improvement. Addressing that side of the ball was a major priority during the offseason, as LA wanted to build a roster capable of making life difficult for opposing offenses.

“The Lakers finished 20th in defensive rating last season. This season, they believe Kessler, as well as the wings they collected, including Quentin Grimes, Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle and Collin Sexton, can provide active, disruptive on-ball pressure and length on the perimeter," SI's Ricardo Sandoval wrote.

Although the Lakers have added several quality defenders, there is still room for improvement. ESPN believes Los Angeles could make another move, potentially sending Jaden Hardy and three second-round picks to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Derrick Jones Jr.

“Jones is a talented defender who also started alongside Luka Doncic during the Mavericks' 2024 Finals run. He was an unsung hero throughout that 2024 playoff run as he held his own on defense against the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards. His thin frame combined with outlier athleticism allows him to navigate around screens and successfully shadow the shiftiest superstars in a way that few others in the league can. His addition to the Lakers as a reliable point-of-attack defender would be immensely helpful in slowing down an opposing star guard in a playoff series.

The Clippers' future draft assets are severely depleted after the NBA stripped them of five future first-round picks for circumventing the salary cap,” ESPN wrote.

Jones brings plenty of athleticism and explosiveness on the offensive end, but his biggest value to the Lakers would come from his defensive ability. Adding another versatile perimeter defender would give Los Angeles another weapon to throw at opposing stars, potentially making life much more difficult for teams trying to slow down Doncic.

There has also been reporting that the Clippers would be willing to accommodate Jones if he wanted a change of scenery.

“I think sometimes agents see different opportunities around the league to play more, make more money, contend for a championship, potentially, so that could also weigh into it," ClutchPoints’ Tomar Azarly said. "If they see a better opportunity elsewhere, they'll approach the Clippers, and the Clippers, in good faith, will try to get them where they want to go."

That could create an opportunity for the Lakers to make a call and explore a potential deal. Los Angeles could certainly use another high-level defender, especially one who could help take some of the defensive pressure off its offensive stars and allow Doncic to continue doing what he does best.

Jones is currently in the final year of his $30 million contract with the Clippers. Acquiring him would be another example of the Lakers taking an aggressive approach to improving their roster, something fans have wanted to see from the organization.

Simply put, this move would give the Lakers another athletic and versatile piece who fits their defensive identity. Jones' defensive ability is well established, but he can also provide value on the offensive end.

Think of Jarred Vanderbilt, except Jones offers a more reliable perimeter shooting threat and can knock down open corner threes. The Lakers appear to be developing an identity built around defensive intensity, and that is exactly where Jones has made his mark throughout his career.

Hardy could struggle to find consistent minutes in Los Angeles, so moving him for a player who could make an immediate impact would make sense. Meanwhile, the Clippers' limited draft assets could make additional second-round picks appealing as they evaluate their options.

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