The Los Angeles Lakers, standing at 17-6 and eyeing the Western Conference crown, are gaining major traction in league-wide trade chatter as speculation mounts around pairing Luka Dončić with New Orleans Pelicans wing Herb Jones. The rumor intensified after Bill Simmons described the move as an “easy” pickup for LA, especially with the Pelicans sinking to a 3-22 record and expected to entertain offers. With Dončić delivering another high-powered season, the addition of Jones could reshape the Lakers’ title trajectory almost overnight. Simmons’ suggested structure is simple but impactful: • The Los Angeles Lakers would send rookie scorer Dalton Knecht, veteran stretch-big Maxi Kleber, and a 2031 first-round pick to New Orleans. • In return, LA would acquire Herb Jones, a two-way

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