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

According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the Lakers are not expected to pursue players like Jimmy Butler, Brandon Ingram or Zach LaVine “heavily” as they look for ways to improve their roster.

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

Butler has become the biggest star most likely to move before the Feb. 6 deadline. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on December 10 that the Miami Heat would consider trading the six-time All-Star for the right offer.

It’s unclear at this point what the right deal would be for the Heat. In a separate report on Dec. 11, Charania noted that Butler’s favorite trade destinations include the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets.

A potentially complicating factor in a Butler trade is that the Heat have been playing better lately. 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 as part of the Anthony Davis transfer, believes he is a more practical trade option given his contract status and situation with the Pelicans. He is making $36 million this season in the final year of his four-year, $158.2 million contract.

The Pelicans have been hit hard 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 aimed at reducing payroll for the remainder 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.

The Lakers seem almost certain to make some moves as they try to find ways to improve their roster. Their minus-3.5 net rating ranks 22nd in the NBA, with their 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 the game with 18 points, eight assists and eight rebounds in 34 minutes, helping the Lakers to a 116-110 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

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