The Los Angeles Lakers are looking strong with the leadership of Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James. However, they are still expected to make moves ahead of the trade deadline to reinforce their roster.

While they are being named as a potential destination for Giannis Antetokounmpo, some fans would rather see them land a 3-and-D, lockdown role player.

Lakers Fans Prefer To Land a Defense-First Role Player Over Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Lakers already have their stars. Dončić is the franchise star; Reaves has the makings of an offensive juggernaut; James still has enough left in the tank to elevate the team.

What they need are role players who excel at what they do to strengthen an already formidable core, not another star like Antetokounmpo. Several fans agree and are asking specifically for Herb Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans.

“This might be an unpopular option but I’ll share. The Lakers should go all out for Herb Jones. Not Giannis,” one fan said.

This might be an unpopular option but I’ll share.

The Lakers should go all out for Herb Jones. Not Giannis. https://t.co/gOUi22iTuE

— Laker Central (@LakerCentral365) December 10, 2025

“That opinion is the only correct one. Giannis will stay with the Bucks or probably go to the Knicks. Getting Jones and perhaps Keon Ellis will give us what we need to balance the starters and the bench and truly make us contenders this year,” another said.

That opinion is the only correct one. Giannis will stay with the Bucks or probably go to the Knicks. Getting Jones and perhaps Keon Ellis will give us what we need to balance the starters and the bench and truly make us contenders this year.

— Brian T. Stoner, CPA (@bstonercpa) December 10, 2025

“Agree, Giannis cost Reaves and depth & would take us time to build and be contenders. We look like contenders now & have 2020 chemistry on the team & good balance. Herb brings more defense support that’s needed, is young, plays his role & would make us better now and future,” one fan stated.

Agree, Giannis cost reaves and depth & would take us time to build and be contenders. We look like contenders now & have 2020 chemistry on the team & good balance. Herb brings more defense support that’s needed, is young, plays his role & would make us better now and future

— Gaby’s Thoughts 🇵🇷 (@Whoagaby) December 10, 2025

“To win a ring you gotta beat OKC and Herb is the best defender vs Shai in the league,” another fan said.

To win a ring you gotta beat OKC and Herb is the best defender vs Shai in the league.

— Juancho (@JoeJuancho) December 10, 2025

“I’m so with you. Great young player with huge upside and fits our timeline better. I’d give up a good haul for him,” another commented.

I’m so with you. Great young player with huge upside and fits our timeline better. I’d give up a good haul for him

— Gale (@skinnykingluka) December 11, 2025

“I agree. I think Depth beats OKC, not a top heavy team,” another added.

I agree. I think Depth beats OKC, not a top heavy team.

— q belafonte (@BelafonteQ) December 10, 2025

Jones is a switchable defender on one side and a floor spacer on the other. So far in his five-year career, he’s averaged 1.6 steals per game and has made 36.4 percent of his 3-pointers.

He is a reliable contributor who won’t demand the same trade package that a superstar-caliber player like Antetokounmpo does. He is also under contract for the next several seasons.

The defensive stalwart is just in year three of a four-year deal he signed in 2023. Once this contract lapses at the end of the 2026-27 campaign, an extension he signed in 2025 will kick in. That deal is worth $67,580,892 over years, with the final year in 2029-30 being a player option.