Lakers Insider: LA Could've Traded for Jonas Valančiūnas '9 Days Ago' amid NBA Rumors

The Los Angeles Lakers are 16-13 and sitting in seventh place in the Western Conference standings, suggesting they may need to shake up the roster to realistically compete for a deep playoff run.

And they reportedly could have done so within the past two weeks.

Lakers insider Jovan Buha reported Tuesday that the Purple and Gold could have traded for Jonas Valančiūnas "nine days ago" but chose not to land the Washington Wizards big man.

"The fact that they haven't, that is making me feel with each passing day it's probably less likely that Valančiūnas ends up a Laker," Buha added (47:40 mark).

Buha noted there are some defensive limitations with Valančiūnas that may have impacted Los Angeles' decision-making process. After all, opponents are shooting 1.4 percent better than their normal averages overall, 6.2 percent better from deep and 2.4 percent better from within six feet of the basket when he guards them, per NBA.com.

Still, he is also a double-double threat every time he steps on the floor and is averaging 11.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game while shooting 55 percent from the field in 27 games this season.

Valančiūnas has also averaged double-digit scoring totals every season of his career since he was a rookie in 2012-13 and could provide a boost to the Lakers' offense while also providing frontcourt depth.

The trade deadline isn't until Feb. 6, so the front office still has some time to evaluate the roster and the team's overall situation. Perhaps it will decide to circle back on Valančiūnas in the future and make a move then, but it reportedly had that option on the table this month and passed on it.