NBA Rumors: Carmelo Anthony Headed To The Los Angeles Lakers?

With the NBA trade deadline just over two weeks away, Denver Nuggets have still yet to make a deal for small forward Carmelo Anthony.

With trade talks that have been going on since the summer of 2010, you would have thought that a trade would have happened by now.

However, this is not the case and 'Melo continues to have a solid season in Denver despite the business issues.

With that being said, NBA sources have told ESPN the Magazine's Chris Broussard about preliminary talks between the Lakers and Nuggets.

Currently it looks to be a straight up trade where Anthony would go to LA while Denver would receive Andrew Bynum.

If this trade goes through, both teams would be receiving star status players and improvements in those respective positions.

The Lakers current starting small forward is Ron Artest, but he's known more so for his defense than offense, while 'Melo is the more complete player.

As for the Nuggets, Nene Hilario is the current starting center, but with Bynum's postseason experience, he could definitely be of assistance to Denver.

Also, Bynum is only 23 years old while Hilario is 28, so although age as of now is not much of a factor, it will be in a few years.

And one final factor is that Bynum weighs 30 lbs more than Hilario, which bodes well for the physicality that comes with playing in the paint.

Now for the positions that would have new starters, the Lakers would most likely put either Lamar Odom or Paul Gasol at center.

I would say either Joe Smith or Theo Ratliff, but both are in their mid-30s; however, don't be surprised if rookie Derrick Caracter receives more playing time.

For the Nuggets, replacing 'Melo is arguably impossible, but with the likes of Al Harrington, Sheldon Williams and J.R. Smith, coach George Karl could diversify the small forward position in Denver.

Personally I'd love to see Chris "Birdman" Anderson start on a daily basis just because of his unique style, but that obviously wouldn't fit the bill so to speak.

Regardless, this trade could help both teams, but come playoff time we may have a more intensified Western Conference playoff series if they happen to face off.

But hey, isn't that what we as sports fans want to see?