Carmelo Anthony Trade Rumors Now Involve Los Angeles Lakers

We long assumed that the only Carmelo Anthony trade rumors out there involved the New York Knicks. However, a new big-market team has reportedly entered the chase, one you probably didn't expect. The Los Angeles Lakers have had "preliminary discussions" with the Denver Nuggets involving a trade for Anthony, according to a report by ESPN's Chris Broussard.

The Lakers' trade package would center around Andrew Bynum, according to the report. The Nuggets have no interest in Ron Artest, who was rumored to be seeking a new venue last week.

Bynum would provide the Nuggets with a young, productive big man, which is incredibly difficult to find in this league. However, he also has a big contract and a history of injuries. The Nuggets have said they would like to trim salary, and a package centered around Bynum would have to include more players to make that happen. However, the Lakers do not have a single player that has a contract that ends after this season, making it very difficult for them to meet the Nuggets' wishes.

Broussard is also reporting that a rumored three-way trade involving the Nuggets, Knicks and Timberwolves is "very much alive," despite reports indicating otherwise.