Lakers Rumors: Raptors, Jazz Are LA's 'Plan B Options' After Missing on Kyrie Trade

The Toronto Raptors and Utah Jazz "have repeatedly popped up as Plan B options" for the Los Angeles Lakers after they missed out on trading for Kyrie Irving, according to The Athletic's Jovan Buha.

"Both teams have been linked to the Lakers in recent weeks and have starter-level players who have been rumored to be available," Buha wrote. "However, talks remain preliminary and nothing is imminent."

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Sunday the Lakers were prepared to offer Russell Westbrook and two first-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for Irving. The Nets instead agreed to a deal with the Dallas Mavericks.

On Saturday, Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer reported Utah "remains a major catalyst" in a possible Westbrook trade. Fischer added that the deal "would almost certainly" have Mike Conley, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt come to the Lakers.

Conley is a more natural fit with LeBron James and Anthony Davis since he can play off the ball and help space the floor. Beasley, a 38 percent career three-point shooter, would help on the perimeter as well.

Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus and USA Today's Jeff Zillgitt have linked Los Angeles with a potential move for Raptors star Fred VanVleet.

If Toronto is willing to listen, then adding Gary Trent Jr. or O.G. Anunoby would make a lot of sense for the Lakers, too, with both players the subject of trade speculation.

The overarching question for general manager Rob Pelinka and the front office is whether there's a realistic deal that meaningfully raises Los Angeles' ceiling.

Sure, it isn't great when your best player is seemingly lamenting your collective inaction.

And as long as LeBron James is on the roster and playing at an elite level, the GM owes it to everyone involved to keep pushing all-in for the short term.

Still, when anything short of a Western Conference Finals appearance is likely to be considered a failure—and even that might not be enough—missing the playoffs altogether isn't a significantly different outcome from losing in the first or second round.

When that's the case, you could make an argument patience is the better approach for Pelinka. He could reassess the trade landscape in the summer and see whether a disgruntled star becomes available.

Maintaining the status quo is likely to ensure a second half of discontent in Los Angeles. However, making a desperation trade may not alter that trajectory and could just leave the Lakers less equipped to pursue upgrades down the road.