NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers Not Expected to 'Heavily' Pursue Butler, Ingram, LaVine

If the Los Angeles Lakers decide to make a move before the trade deadline, it likely won't be for one of the marquee players who could be available.

Per The Athletic's Jovan Buha, the Lakers aren't expected to "heavily" pursue players like Jimmy Butler, Brandon Ingram or Zach LaVine as they explore ways to upgrade their roster.

Buha cited players like Jonas Valančiūnas, Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith as more realistic trade targets for the Lakers. Some of this is because their contracts are more team-friendly than someone like Butler or LaVine.

Butler has become the biggest star who seems most likely to be on the move before the Feb. 6 deadline. ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Dec. 10 that the Miami Heat would entertain trading the six-time All-Star for the right offer.

It's unclear at this point what would constitute the right deal to the Heat. In a separate report on Dec. 11, Charania noted Butler's preferred list of trade destinations includes the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets.

One potential complicating factor in a Butler trade is the Heat have started playing better of late. They have won four straight games to improve their record to 13-10, fifth-best in the Eastern Conference.

Ingram, who was traded from the Lakers to the New Orleans Pelicans in the Anthony Davis trade, feels like a more practical trade option given his contract status and state of the Pelicans. He is earning $36 million this season in the final year of his four-year, $158.2 million contract.

The Pelicans have been decimated by injuries so far this season. Their 5-22 record is the second-worst in the NBA, ahead of only the Washington Wizards (3-21). Any move they make would almost certainly be designed to cut payroll for the rest of this season, as they are currently $2.1 million over the luxury tax.

Since the franchise joined the NBA in the 2002-03 season, the Pelicans have never paid the luxury tax.

LaVine has been a subject of trade rumors to the Lakers for the past year, but his contract and the new apron rules could make it more difficult for the Chicago Bulls to find a trade partner.

The Lakers seem almost certain to do something as they try to find ways to improve their roster. Their minus-3.5 net rating is 22nd in the NBA, with the offense (15th) and defense (22nd) ranking in the bottom half of the league.

LeBron James returned to the lineup on Sunday after missing two games. He finished with 18 points, eight assists and eight rebounds in 34 minutes to help the Lakers to a 116-110 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Despite that victory over one of the best teams in the Western Conference, the Lakers are still 10th in the conference with a 14-12 record.