NBA trade rumor: Lakers could add 6-foot-6 Luka Doncic ex-teammate and Clippers forward as final roster piece

The Lakers overhauled their roster this summer, and one starting spot still looks unfinished. Walker Kessler and Quentin Grimes arrived, while LeBron James, Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton left. Lakers need perimeter defense, secondary rim protection and enough offense to hold up. No one on the roster fits it as a proven power forward, and that probably doesn't change before opening night.Derrick Jones Jr. keeps coming up as the fix. The 6-foot-6 Clippers forward, 29, played one season beside Luka Doncic in Dallas, and a Clippers roster stripped of five first-round picks might listen. Reports published October 3 put him forward as an option. Nothing is agreed, and every idea here is speculation, not word from either front office.CategoryDetailsPlayerDerrick Jones Jr. (forward, 6-foot-6, 29)Current TeamLos Angeles ClippersRumored TeamLos Angeles LakersContract StatusFinal year; extension not expectedTrade LikelihoodSpeculative; Clippers' asking price unclearLatest Insider UpdateOct. 3: Lakers-Clippers deal proposed; asking price unclearPotential ReturnLaRavia, and three second-round picks to the Clippers (hypothetical)Why are the Lakers targeting Derrick Jones Jr.?Los Angeles has two in-house candidates in newcomers Ziaire Williams and Sandro Mamukelashvili, and either could claim the starting power forward job. Right now, it is fair to say that the newcomer duo is a backup option or a trade asset. Jones would upgrade any in-house option as a proven, veteran two-way contributor. His strength, agility and verticality suit a defender beside Doncic, who can feed him enough quality shots to stay viable on offense.What insiders are saying about the trade?As the summer roster changes happened, it looks like the Lakers are reaching the end of perfecting their team. Still, there are some gaps. "The Lakers need a forward and the Los Angeles Clippers need some draft capital, which makes these two teams the perfect trading partners," Fansided’s Mat Issa wrote. "This one would be another reunion for Dončić from his Finals run with the Dallas Mavericks. Here, the Lakers would trade LaRavia, Dalton Knecht and three second-round picks to get Derrick Jones Jr."Derrick Jones Jr.'s expiring deal and the Clippers' five lost first-roundersJones is in the final year of his contract and is not expected to get an extension. The league docked the Clippers five first-round picks, and the forward is believed to be among the veterans on their trade block. Moving him before the deadline would return something, while waiting risks losing him for nothing. Los Angeles could also hang back and wait for Jones to test free agency next summer. The Clippers' asking price is unclear.P.J. Washington in Dallas and Herbert Jones in New Orleans are other names on the radar, and Washington looks like the surer option.Doncic, Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler and Quentin Grimes already project as four starters, with one spot open. The clock runs in two directions. Los Angeles will judge Williams and Mamukelashvili over roughly two months, and the Clippers face the trade deadline with an expiring contract. If neither Laker claims the spot, the calls start. If the Clippers sit still, Jones may walk next summer with no return. For now, the Lakers have a name, a paper package and no deal.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.