Brian Windhorst makes Herb Jones and DeMar DeRozan to LA Lakers point, with clear advice

Brian Windhorst says the Los Angeles Lakers should be looking at a player like Herb Jones, not DeMar DeRozan in trade talks

The Lakers should be busy around the trade deadline as they look to upgrade their roster.

Rob Pelinka is no stranger when it comes to making a deal before the second part of the season.

The Lakers will almost certainly be in trade talks in some capacity. Brian Windhorst talked about the kind of player the Lakers should target, emphasizing someone who’s on Doncic and Reaves’ timeline, not LeBron’s.

“A player like Herb Jones in a vacuum, the guy in his mid to late 20s, plays defense in the perimeter, can shoot threes.

“These are the players that Lakers can be looking for. They’re not necessarily, I’m just going to throw this name out there, not because I think they should go after him, I’m not so interested if DeMar DeRozan comes on the market.

“Will DeMar DeRozan help the Lakers this year? Yeah. Is DeMar DeRozan on the timeline of Austin Reaves and Luka? No.

“If the Lakers traded for DeMar DeRozan this afternoon. Would it be a massive story? Yes, is that the type of move that Rob should be looking at? No.”

Brian Windhorst is correct, the Los Angeles Lakers need to build around Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic’s timeline

The Lakers have to shift their focus from James’ timeline to accommodating Reaves and Doncic.

James is in the final year of his deal with the Lakers and he is set to turn 41 years old in December.

All arrows point to this being James’ final season with the Lakers and maybe even in the league.

Therefore, it would be foolish for the Lakers to cater to him for potentially one more season when they have Doncic locked up and Reaves’ next contract is coming up.

The Lakers need to make smart, strategic decisions moving forward and not act on impulse just because of James’ shortened timeline.