Lakers reportedly getting calls about availability of Ingram

While the Los Angeles Lakers have been steadfast in saying they do not want to break up their young core, that's not stopping teams from asking about 21-year-old prospect Brandon Ingram.

The 6-foot-9 forward/guard is actually having a solid season, putting up 16.4 points per night with 4.9 rebounds.

Ingram has he's had plenty of ups and downs this season, but opposing teams are still asking about if he might be on the trade market, according to NBA insider Shams Charania of Stadium.

Charania spoke about Ingram on "The Sedano Show," and said teams have been making calls about Ingram and if he might be able to be pried away from Los Angeles.

"Obviously he’s had a little bit of an up and down season. He missed some time with injury, the suspension earlier in the year, but still, I think, around the league he has a value as a prospect," Charania said. "A lot of teams still believe in him. He does still come up when teams inquire with the Lakers.”

With the Feb. 7 deadline for teams to pull the triggers on deals getting closer by the minute, it wouldn't be a shock to hear Ingram's name come up even more.

The Lakers have a solid young nucleus with Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, and Josh Hart, and while there's still no date for the return of LeBron James,it might be smart to keep Ingram around, unless there's a massive deal that would make the Lakers a title contender right away.

At this point, it's hard to believe there's a deal out there of that caliber -- but this is the time of the year that teams will make calls just to inquire to see what it might take to acquire a player such as Ingram.