Lakers Reportedly Eyeing Duke Basketball Champ Ahead of Trade Deadline

The Los Angeles Lakers added Cam Reddish via free agency in July. Now, there are multiple insiders reporting that the franchise, looking to make a move to improve its playoff standing, is considering another Duke basketball product, Washington Wizards guard Tyus Jones, this time in the trade market before the Feb. 8 deadline arrives.

Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times noted the Lakers' interest in the ninth-year NBA floor general earlier this week. So did The Athletic's Shams Charania.

Then, on Wednesday night, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto summarized why Jones could be an ideal addition in Los Angeles as the Lakers, currently No. 8 in the Western Conference with a 22-23 record, explore potential three- or even four-team trades to make a big splash:

"They are looking for a point guard, and Jones is a player they're looking at on an expiring contract and a player who has a great assist-to-turnover ratio."

Tyus Jones, a former No. 24 overall draft pick following his brilliant one-and-done campaign for the 2014-15 Duke basketball national champions, led the league in assist-to-turnover ratio in each of the past five seasons. And he's well on his way to defending that crown with his NBA-best 7.2 mark this go-round.

So….Shams is indirectly saying that both Johnny Davis and Patrick Baldwin Jr are gettable 👀.

Reality is though….they are next up after Tyus Jones + Kyle Kuzma trades.pic.twitter.com/vNLtSgRlD8
— Ben Sig 🚬 (@sig_50) January 22, 2024

As a full-time starter for the first time in his pro career, albeit for a Wizards squad that has the second-worst record in the league at 7-36, the 27-year-old NBA Blue Devil is averaging 12.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.2 steals across his 43 outings.

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