For the Los Angeles Lakers, a run to the Finals continues to feel unlikely. There have been nights when LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Co. have appeared capable of beating anyone. Then, there have been nights Friday, when the Lakers were dominated 109-90 by the Indiana Pacers.

“I think it’s the way we lost tonight that is a wasted opportunity,” Davis said, per Jovan Buha of The Athletic.

While L.A. did add a few new ancillary pieces last offseason, it largely ran it back with the same core that reached the 2023 Western Conference Finals. If the Lakers don’t make another surprise run, there’s a good chance that they take a different approach this summer.

According to Buha, the Lakers are likely to pursue another superstar to pair with James and Davis in 2024.

” I can confirm that from multiple sources. They are going third-star hunting this offseason,” Buha said in a Q&A (h/t Jesse Cinquini of Lakers Daily). “And we’ll see how that affects the D-Lo (D’Angelo Russell) situation. We’ll see how—you probably have to give up Austin [Reaves] in almost any…third-star trade.”

There are risks involved with chasing a third star, something the Lakers know all too well after the failed Russell Westbrook experiment. The cost of making a blockbuster trade would likely cost key young contributors like Reaves and valuable draft capital. If the home-run swing doesn’t pay off, it could significantly hurt Los Angeles’ outlook after the James-Davis era.

There’s also plenty of uncertainty surrounding what remains of that era. James has a player option for next season and is scheduled to be a free agent in 2025. Acquiring an older star, like James’ former teammate, Kyrie Irving, could backfire in a big way.

If the Lakers are adamant about pursuing a new “Big Three,” it would be far more logical to target a star who can become a centerpiece for the long haul. Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young would fit that mold. According to Buha, Young just might be in L.A.’s plans:

“The one name I continually hear is Trae Young. He’s been to Laker playoff games before. He’s a Klutch Sports client. That’s probably the most realistic one right now.”

Young is a nearly ideal target for the Lakers for a few reasons. For one, head coach Darvin Ham will have a spot for him if Russell declines his player option for next season. Secondly, Young is a more explosive playmaker than Russell, and his offensive prowess would mesh well with James and Davis in the short term.

Lastly—and perhaps most importantly—Young will only turn 26 in September. He could easily pair with Davis to give L.A. a potent centerpiece duo if and when James moves on from L.A.

Right now, Reaves, who is a few months older than Young, is the closest thing the Lakers would have to a second superstar if James were to walk. Los Angeles uncovered a gem in the former two-way player, but Young still has the higher upside.

A trade for Young might also be feasible. The Hawks haven’t become a powerhouse after pairing Young with Dejounte Murray, and there’s been plenty of buzz suggesting that the former could be available.

“I think they would love to trade Trae,” one Western Conference executive said in February, per The Ringer’s Howard Beck.

Acquiring Young wouldn’t guarantee a championship or even that James stays in L.A. It would, however, make far more sense than some other potential moves from a long-term team-building perspective.

Young is more than six years younger than Irving, and he isn’t scheduled to play on an expiring contract next season, like Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell.

Buha reported in early February that Young, Irving and Mitchell were preferred 2024 targets, per league sources.

If the Lakers do indeed go all-in on acquiring a third star this summer, they must begin—and hopefully, end—their pursuit with Young.