With the February trade deadline approaching, the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly narrowing their search for defensive reinforcements to a familiar face residing just down the hall at the Intuit Dome. According to a new report from Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Lakers have expressed significant interest in acquiring Los Angeles Clippers wing Derrick Jones Jr. to bolster their perimeter rotation.

The potential move is rooted in a proven chemistry between the high-flying forward and current Lakers superstar Luka Dončić. Jones Jr. was a vital starter on the Dallas Mavericks team that Dončić led to the NBA Finals in 2024. During that championship run, Jones Jr. served as the primary point-of-attack defender, taking on the toughest assignments to shield Dončić from defensive exhaustion—a dynamic the Lakers are desperate to recreate in 2026.

The Lakers' front office, led by Rob Pelinka, is reacting to a glaring deficiency in the team's current construction. While the offensive trio of Dončić, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves provides elite scoring, the lineup has struggled to contain athletic wings on the perimeter. Amick notes that the Lakers view Jones Jr. as the ideal "defensive glue" who can cover ground, protect the rim in small-ball lineups, and thrive without demanding the ball on offense.

However, executing this trade faces a significant hurdle: the "Hallway Rivalry." The Clippers are currently navigating a difficult season and may be positioned as sellers, but aiding their crosstown rivals in a championship pursuit is rarely a priority. Derrick Jones Jr. is on a manageable contract and fits the exact profile of what the Lakers lack, but the Clippers would likely demand a premium to facilitate a reunion between the athletic wing and his former Mavericks teammate. If a deal can be struck, it would provide the Lakers with the defensive athleticism they have sorely missed since their last title run.