Lakers Unmentioned in Update on Top Trade Target

The peak of NBA free agency craze is over and the Los Angeles Lakers are yet to make an addition to their roster. After missing out on several free-agent targets, the Lakers have turned their attention to the trade market. However, things are not looking much better for GM Rob Pelinka on that front.

Shams Charania summarized the trade landscape in his latest piece for The Athletic. There, he suggests that it might be a quieter offseason in the NBA in terms of player movement.

One of the players on the trade block he mentions is Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans. Entering the final year of his contract, Ingram was widely expected to be traded this summer, with the Los Angeles Lakers being a potential suitor. Charania, however, reports that the trade market for the All-Star forward is rather tepid.

"Multiple teams across the league believe the trade market is currently limited for Ingram, as two interested teams in Sacramento and San Antonio made offseason moves for forwards DeMar DeRozan and Harrison Barnes, respectively, and most teams are finalizing their rosters for the summer."

- Shams Charania, The Athletic

It is worth noting that Charania doesn't mention the Lakers once, suggesting that they may not be interested in Ingram.

Considering that Ingram is arguably the best player the Lakers can realistically trade for, that is surprising. The Lakers need another shot creator and offensive engine, and Ingram fills that need. Plus, he is a clear upgrade as the third-best player on the team, improving the Lakers' overall talent level.

Perhaps the Lakers prefer to trade for multiple role players rather than a third star. Even if that's the case, they need to act quickly before players are off the trade block and teams finalize their rosters for next season. Otherwise, the frustration among Lakers fans will only continue to grow.

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