Anthony Davis Rumors: Lakers Trade Package Could Include Three Players

The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly planning a trade for New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis this month, which could include the likes of Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Rumors involving Davis notably began when he joined Klutch Sports earlier this year, the agency of LeBron James, and it's been reported since that the Lakers are interested in bringing him to the Staples Center.

But because the 25-year-old still has two years left on his deal, excluding a player option for the 2020/21 season, he can only arrive in a trade which will likely involve giving up a lot of assets.

And according to NBA insider Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson, the Lakers are planning to offer a big trade package as early as Dec. 15, which is when players like Caldwell-Pope who signed one-year deals are eligible to be traded.

"On Thursday, an NBA league source shared with me that the Los Angeles Lakers are interested in bringing in Anthony Davis via trade as soon as Dec. 15 and Ball and other key Lakers players Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Brandon Ingram could be part of the move," Robinson wrote on Heavy.com.

"A potential three-team deal could involve the Lakers, Pelicans and the Orlando Magic. 'If it’s a straight-up trade with the Pelicans, Lonzo will be in the deal,' a league source with Lakers knowledge told me on Thursday. 'But the Lakers will be asking for Elfrid Payton or Ian Clark in return,'" he added.

Robinson adds that the Lakers could try to keep Ball out of a deal for Davis, but that would involve them trading the youngster to the Orlando Magic, with a possible scenario seeing potential free agent Nikola Vucevic arrive in exchange. Ingram though, will be the principle player involved in a deal for Davis.

In addition, next year’s first round pick as well as multiple picks will be included by the Lakers.

Such a report should be taken with a pinch of salt, but the Davis-to-Lakers rumors have been increasing of late. Last week, another NBA insider in Chris Sheridan revealed a Davis-to-Lakers deal has been "in the works" for years, even though the Boston Celtics remain contenders as well.

However, Boston can only trade for him this season if they offer Kyrie Irving due to the Rose Rule. If they wait until the summer when Irving re-signs with a new deal, they could risk missing out on Davis this season.

Robinson also reported in September that Kevin Durant was leaving for the Lakers next summer when he can become a free agent, adding last month that the plan is for James to play alongside him and Davis. The trio playing together is something former NBA player Jarrett Jack has claimed will happen as well.

If the Lakers were to pull such a move off, at least with Davis, their chances in the playoffs will significantly increase this year with one of the best players in the league among their ranks.