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LOCKED UP: PELICANS SET "VERY HIGH" PRICE FOR LAKERS' DREAM DEFENDERS
The Lakers' trade hunt for a 3-and-D wing is hitting a wall. The Pelicans have set a "very high asking price" for Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III, making a deal nearly impossible with limited draft picks.
One thing that keeps hurting the Lakers in losses this season is their trouble guarding quicker backcourts. It shows that they need better perimeter defenders.
With the trade deadline coming up, the Lakers really want to get a good 3-and-D wing. This is a player who can stop drives, defend top scorers, and space the floor on offence. They have been talking to people around the league about players who fit this description.
The Lakers have looked at guys like Andrew Wiggins from Miami and Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones from New Orleans, who are both good defensive players. But it might be hard to get any of them.
NBA insider Marc Stein said that a lot of teams are wondering if the Pelicans would listen to trade offers for Jones or Murphy.
Stein said that New Orleans has set a very high asking price to scare teams away. Both players are good wings who are on reasonable contracts, which is why the Pelicans don't want to trade them.
Dan Woike of The Athletic agreed, saying that the Pelicans don't want to trade Jones. He added that the Lakers don't have many draft picks to offer, which makes a deal almost impossible. They only have one first-round pick they can trade (in 2030 or 2031).
Woike wrote that the Pelicans probably wouldn’t be interested in what the Lakers can offer, which is expiring contracts and one first-round pick.
He said that New Orleans could change their mind by the Feb. 5 deadline, but it would take a lot to convince it to trade a good defensive wing to a team in the same conference.
After losing to the Spurs 132–119, head coach JJ Redick didn't hold back when talking about the Lakers' defence.
There are very few teams that don’t have something that you can take advantage of, Redick said. And we usually get exposed to the same things.
The Lakers have one of the worst defensive ratings among teams with at least 15 wins. They allow 116.7 points per 100 possessions, which is 21st in the league. That's not good for a team that wants to win a championship.
"I think the hardest thing for our team right now is containing the ball," Redick added.
That was obvious against San Antonio, where Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, and De'Aaron Fox scored a combined 24-for-43. Castle had 30 points, drove to the basket easily, and shot nine free throws. He and Fox also made seven three-pointers together.
Lakers star Austin Reaves, who has had trouble against quicker guards, agreed with Redick about the team's defence.
That’s a weakness we have to fix, Reaves said. The spirit is still good here. We know we can do it. But we have to defend as a team of five.
Rich Paul, LeBron James’ agent, also talked about the Lakers' defensive problems on The Ringer’s Game Over With Max Kellerman and Rich Paul.
I personally don’t think the Lakers are good enough to be contenders right now, Paul said. He said they don't have enough athleticism to compete with teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets.
When asked to explain, Paul said that it would be hard to reach the Western Conference Finals with the current team.
The Lakers don't have many draft picks, so they are realising that it's hard to make trades.
The price for good two-way wings has gone up, so the Lakers will have a tough time improving their team before the deadline. Some of the players they want might just be too expensive.
LEBRON JAMES CONFIRMS COACHES’ MANDATE TO PLAY OFF-BALL DESPITE MOUNTING LAKERS LOSSES
The Lakers finish December as one of the NBA's worst teams. We analyse LeBron's adjusted role and the 128-106 Pistons loss.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick and LeBron James #23 watch the game against the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena on December 28, 2025.
After the Lakers got crushed by the Detroit Pistons, 128-106, on his 41st birthday, LeBron James had a lot to say.
The most surprising thing he said was that the Lakers' coaches told him to play off the ball this season.
“I haven’t really been on the ball much,” James told reporters after the game. He finished with 17 points, four assists, four rebounds, and five turnovers, shooting 6-for-17.
“If the coaches want me to play on-ball, I can do that. But I’ve mostly been off the ball this year.”
Austin Reaves Being Hurt Matters
James said he could handle the ball more with Austin Reaves injured, but JJ Redick hasn’t asked him to.
"I can get back into it, but you have to get into the rhythm," he said. AR and Luka [Doncic] usually run the offence, and Marcus [Smart] is helping out now.
When asked if he cares either way, James said, Nah. Whatever helps us win. It doesn't matter.”
LeBron James: Lowest USG% Ever
The stats back up what James is saying.
In the first 15 games, his usage rate (USG%) is 26.1, the lowest in his 23-year career. It was even lower in November (22.1%) when he was getting used to being the third option after Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Last season, James's USG% was 29.1, 28.5 the year before, and 32.2 in 2022-23. In 2020, when the Lakers won the title, it was 30.8 in the regular season and 29.6 in the playoffs.
Also, his points plus assists are at a career low. When James is playing, he assists on 37.4% of the Lakers' baskets, down more than five points from last year.
Lakers Offence Struggles
Interestingly, James is talking about his role right after Redick said the offence has been disorganised since James came back in mid-November.
Since Bron's been back, our offence hasn't been as organised, Redick said this week. Too many random plays. That's on me.
Earlier in the season, the Lakers struggled on defence. Now, their offence is also struggling. In 12 December games, they're averaging just 112.4 points, down from 120.6 in November. Their assists have also dropped from 26.1 to 22.8.
The Lakers (5-7) were among the worst teams in the league in December, ranking 22nd in WIN%, 24th in points, last in assists, and 26th in defensive rating. They'll try to turn things around against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.
UNDERDOG ALABAMA TARGETS A ROSE BOWL UPSET AGAINST UNDEFEATED INDIANA NOW
Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza leads No. 1 Indiana against Ty Simpson and Alabama in a historic Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal clash.
Get ready for a clash of titans as Alabama and Indiana battle it out in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl this Thursday in Pasadena, California.
Even though Alabama has a rich history, it's coming into this game as the underdog, ready to prove its worth.
Indiana, once the program with the most losses in college football, is now the top seed and the only undefeated team, led by Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. Talk about a turnaround.
"I want to shut down all quarterbacks, Heisman winner or not," said Alabama's defensive coordinator, Kane Wommack.
The winner of the Indiana-Alabama game will face either Texas Tech or Oregon in the Peach Bowl on January 9 in Atlanta.
Indiana isn't just trying to keep their amazing season going. They're trying to shake things up after last year's playoff, where all four first-round winners beat the top seeds.
Would I want to play earlier? Probably, to be honest, Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said. But that's not how it is. We're excited to play.
Mendoza throws for an average of 229.2 yards per game, with 33 touchdowns and only six interceptions. Plus, he's run in six touchdowns himself.
But Alabama's defence has been tough on quarterbacks this season, ranking as one of the best in stopping passing plays, allowing only 168.4 yards per game.
Recently, Alabama is fresh off a 34-24 win against Oklahoma in the first round on December 19.
Alabama's quarterback, Ty Simpson, had some struggles but bounced back against Oklahoma. He averages 250 passing yards per game, with 28 touchdowns and five interceptions.
The biggest difference between the teams is their running game. Indiana is among the best in the nation, averaging 221.2 rushing yards per game. Alabama, on the other hand, has struggled, with only 109.9 rushing yards per game.
"I see how well (the Hoosiers') players work together," Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said. They just make plays. When they have a chance, they make it happen.
Indiana has only been to the Rose Bowl once, losing to USC back in 1967.
Alabama is making its ninth appearance, with a record of 5-2-1. Their last time here was two seasons ago, losing to Michigan in overtime in the CFP semifinal. The Crimson Tide also won the 2009 national title against Texas in this stadium.
Cignetti was Alabama's wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator during that championship run.
While Cignetti knows all about Alabama's past, DeBoer is familiar with what Cignetti has achieved with Indiana. DeBoer was the Hoosiers' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach back in 2019.
Mendoza should have one of his best receivers back this Thursday.
Omar Cooper Jr., who got hurt early in the Big Ten title game, is ready to go for the Rose Bowl. Cooper leads Indiana with 58 catches for 804 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Alabama is also getting a key player back, with LT Overton returning to the field. Overton missed the Southeastern Conference championship game and the first-round win against Oklahoma due to sickness.
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