The Los Angeles Lakers figure to be a very interesting team at this year's NBA trade deadline. Los Angeles has an impressive core trio in Luka Dončić, LeBron James and Austin Reaves, which means a couple of things.

The Los Angeles Lakers could struggle to find an available defensive player by the trade deadline this season.

It's the unofficial start of NBA trade season. As of today — Monday, Dec. 15 — 79 players who signed or extended their contracts last summer became eligible to be traded. That means the options have greatly expanded for front offices trying to match salaries and develop trade packages that work for both sides.

The NBA Trade Deadline isn’t until Feb. 5, so teams still have plenty of time to prepare and evaluate their rosters before then. That includes the Boston Celtics, who have emerged as surprise contenders in the Eastern Conference this year in Jayson Tatum’s absence.

Speaking on Wednesday, Celtics executive Brad Stevens mapped out his line of thinking ahead of February's NBA trade deadline.

Amid the continued struggles by the Los Angeles Clippers this year, teams are reportedly hoping to poach one of their top commodities.

At 15-11 without Jayson Tatum, the Celtics find themselves in an interesting position two months out from the NBA trade deadline.

Austin Reaves was named as a surprising trade asset as the Lakers continue to explore roster upgrades ahead of the deadline.

The Celtics general manager continued to keep a Jayson Tatum return on the table — while noting a move ahead of the NBA trade deadline is also a possibility.

The Brooklyn Nets are reportedly listening to trade offers on two of their top players ahead of the trade deadline as they continue their rebuild.