NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers still firing blanks on Anthony Davis' recent request ahead of trade deadline

As trade season slowly comes to a close, the LA Lakers are among the handful of teams who have already made upgrades. With less than two weeks to go until the deadline, one insider touched on a pair of targets not on their radar.

After acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton from the Brooklyn Nets, LA has reportedly been exploring the center market. This ramped up even more when Anthony Davis implored the team to bring in another big man to pair with him.

In his latest batch of trade intel, NBA insider Marc Stein provided the latest on the Lakers' pursuit of frontcourt depth. Despite $3.3 million center Walker Kessler not being available, LA isn't targeting Nikola Vucevic or Jakob Poeltl.

"League sources stressed over the weekend that the Lakers are not expected to join the hunt for either Vučević or Toronto's Jakob Poeltl," Stein wrote. "While oft-suggested Lakers target Walter Kessler of the Utah Jazz is believed to as close to unavailable as it gets with less than 10 days to go before the trade deadline on Feb. 6 at 3 PM ET."

With the deadline just around the corner, Rob Pelinka is running out of time to put the finishing touches before the playoff push begins.

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LA Lakers could be eyeing a reunion with Lonzo Ball

While the Lakers aren't expressing interest in Nikola Vucevic, they could have their sights set on another Chicago Bulls player. During an appearance on the "Hoops Tonight" podcast, insider Jovan Buha cited Lonzo Ball as someone the team could target.

“I think Lonzo is someone that’s going to be on their radar, and I think depending on the price if you could get him for a second or two seconds," Buha said. "I think that’s an interesting swing, and also someone with that 6’6” frame that could potentially I think be similar to Bruce Brown, check a couple boxes."

Being dealt to LA would be a reunion for Ball, who was drafted No. 2 overall by the franchise in 2017. He'd spend the first two years of his career there before being dealt to the New Orleans Pelicans in the Anthony Davis trade.

Injuries have derailed Ball's career, missing the entirety of the last two seasons. However, he's managed to overcome the odds and return to action for the Bulls. Ball has played in 25 games this season and is averaging 6.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists.

Ball doesn't help LA's frontcourt issues, but could help them in other ways. He is someone who could run the offense as a primary or secondary playmaker and is a versatile defender. As a career 36% shooter from beyond the arc, Ball could also add more spacing around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.