A trade where the Lakers acquire Herbert Jones and Yves Pons ("Yvis Missi") from the Pelicans in exchange for Austin Reaves, Shake Milton, and a second-round pick (#55) would have meaningful effects on both teams, especially now that LeBron James and Luka Doncic are both on the Lakers.
Impact on the Lakers Elite Defense Added: Herbert Jones is one of the NBA’s best perimeter defenders, and Yves Pons brings athleticism and defensive versatility. With LeBron and Luka as primary offensive creators, adding Jones and Pons significantly upgrades the Lakers’ defense, which is crucial for championship contention.
Sacrificing Offensive Depth and Future Asset: Trading away Austin Reaves and Shake Milton means losing reliable secondary scoring and shooting depth. Adding a second-round pick (#55) going out also slightly reduces future draft capital, but this is a minor cost compared to the defensive upgrade.
Roster Fit: With LeBron and Luka commanding the offense, the Lakers benefit more from defensive specialists who can guard multiple positions and allow their stars to focus on scoring and playmaking. Jones and Pons fit perfectly into this role.
Impact on the Pelicans Offensive Boost and Depth: Austin Reaves and Shake Milton bring scoring, shooting, and playmaking, which can help the Pelicans’ backcourt and overall offense. The second-round pick (#55) adds a future asset for development or trade flexibility.
Losing Defensive Anchor: Herbert Jones is a defensive cornerstone and young core player. Trading him and Pons weakens the Pelicans’ defense and long-term defensive identity.
Rebuild or Re-tool Strategy: This trade suggests the Pelicans may prioritize offensive skill and future assets over defense, possibly aligning with a rebuild or roster retool.
Who Wins the Trade? Lakers Likely Win: Given the Lakers’ championship window with LeBron and Luka, adding Herbert Jones and Yves Pons addresses a critical defensive need and complements their star duo’s offensive talents. The loss of Reaves, Milton, and a second-round pick is outweighed by the defensive impact.
Pelicans Gain Offensive Players and a Draft Pick: While they lose defensive strength, the Pelicans improve offensive depth and gain a future draft asset, which could be valuable if they are rebuilding.
Summary With LeBron James and Luka Doncic leading the Lakers, acquiring Herbert Jones and Yves Pons in exchange for Austin Reaves, Shake Milton, and a second-round pick (#55) strengthens the Lakers’ defense and championship prospects. The Pelicans gain offensive contributors and a future pick but lose a key defensive piece. Overall, the Lakers would be considered the winners of this trade due to the immediate defensive upgrade and roster fit around their superstar duo.