Lakers' free-agency 'fantasies' might lead them back to a disappointing option

The Los Angeles Lakers were one of the most active players in the early wave of free agency.

Everything has gone quiet on their front since, with general manager Rob Pelinka unable to make many moves after LeBron James' decision.

They've been tied to a move for Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga, but to no avail.

According to NBA insider Sean Deveney, they may no longer be at the top of Kuminga's wishlist, and they might be forced to pivot. 

The Lakers are running out of options

"One reason that Kuminga is still a prominent feature on the market is that there have been multiple times he has appeared certain to join the Lakers. But he passed on a credible offer to sign in LA and there isn’t much appetite for the Lakers’ assets in a sign-and-trade. So nothing has come to fruition," Deveney wrote. 

However, it's not like the Lakers will have many options besides Kuminga. As things stand now, they might be stuck with their core, and they'd be force to give Jarred Vanderbilt another chance:

"Other options (PJ Washington, De’Andre Hunter) appear to be fantasies, too. Could the Lakers just keep Jarred Vanderbilt and give him one last chance as the starting PF? There are not many viable options," added Deveney. 

Vanderbilt has given the Lakers some solid defense at times, but his inability to make shots has relegated him to JJ Redick's rotation.

That said, he may not have much of an alternative, and he'll have to give him a longer leash while they sort something out with a trade.

There's still plenty of offseason to make more moves, but the market is drying out, and there aren't many avenues to get better.