Although the Lakers’ are above .500 this season (16-13) and have experienced a defensive resurgence in recent games, they play in an increasingly tough Western Conference.

Even with a .552 winning percentage, the Lakers currently sit at 7th place.

Truthfully, even with recent defensive improvements, if the Lakers don’t add more depth to their roster, it’s going to be incredibly hard for them to make the playoffs this season.

Adding more salt to the wound, they are facing tough competition for their most essential trade targets.

According to Sam Amick and Anthony Slater of The Athletic, the Sacramento Kings are emerging as direct competition, targeting many of the same players on the Lakers’ radar.

Both teams have eyes on Portland’s Jerami Grant, Utah’s John Collins, and the Wizards duo of Jonas Valančiūnas and Kyle Kuzma.

Brooklyn’s assets are also in play, with Cam Johnson drawing “significant interest” and Dorian Finney-Smith remaining a possibility.

While the Lakers are showing signs of improvement, the Kings are spiraling, dropping four straight games – including two to Los Angeles.

As the rumors about De’Aaron Fox’s potential departure from Sacramento grow louder, this could signal that the Kings will have to act more aggressively in the trade market this season.

The new CBA complicates matters, making trades more challenging but not impossible.

For the Lakers, standing still isn’t an option – especially with LeBron James and Anthony Davis expecting reinforcements.

Landing two or three of their targets could be the difference between a deep playoff run and another disappointing finish.

But with multiple teams, not just Sacramento, pursuing the same players as the Lakers, Los Angeles’s front office faces mounting pressure to outmaneuver their rivals before the deadline expires.