Lakers Trade Rumors: Latest on Nikola Vučević, Jonas Valančiūnas and Jakob Poeltl

The Los Angeles Lakers remain out on three of the best centers available on the NBA trade market despite star Anthony Davis expressing his hope for the team to fortify its frontcourt, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

Stein reported Monday that "league sources stressed over the weekend that the Lakers are not expected to join the hunt" for the Chicago Bulls' Nikola Vučević or Toronto Raptors' Jakob Poeltl. He added that "substantial momentum" toward a deal for the Washington Wizards' Jonas Valančiūnas "has yet to manifest."

Earlier this week, Davis told ESPN's Shams Charania he'd like to see Los Angeles get "another big" prior to the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline.

"I feel like I've always been at my best when I've been the 4, having a big out there," he said.

More broadly, Charania reported AD and LeBron James "have expressed that they want the franchise to make moves to contend for a championship, with the co-stars believing the Lakers are potentially a piece or two away."

None of Vučević, Poeltl or Valančiūnas would seemingly come at a steep cost to the Lakers.

Stein reported the Bulls are trying to get a first-round pick for Vučević, but the Golden State Warriors, one of the strongest suitors for the two-time All-Star, aren't willing to meet that asking price yet. On Valančiūnas, meanwhile, Josh Robbins and David Aldridge of The Athletic reported this month the sense is that Washington will have to settle for second-round compensation.

It's one thing for Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka to be cautious and avoid giving up all of the organization's best assets for what would likely be an ill-fated quest to win a title. There isn't one star on the market who's worth mortgaging the future for, and the long-term damage to that approach would be significant.

Should Pelinka balk at another half-measure like the Dorian Finney-Smith trade, however, then players and fans are likewise at risk of growing a bit disillusioned.

L.A. is 25-18 and fifth in a tough Western Conference. Even if the team isn't considered a championship favorite, it's clearly a contender and capable of reaching the second round in the NBA playoffs at a minimum.

Declining to address a clear need despite having the resources to do so won't be a great look for the front office.