NBA Trade Rumors: 3 Players the Lakers would have to give up to get Anthony Davis

The Los Angeles Lakers were engaged in trade talks with the Phoenix Suns to acquire Trevor Ariza last week. Nevertheless, the deal fell apart as Magic Johnson and the Lakers executives were unwilling to give up any member of their much-talked-about 'young core'.

The Lakers' refusal to include their young players was reportedly due to the organization's belief that they will need to include them in a trade for Anthony Davis. The Pelicans star is the Lakers' number one trade target, and the franchise believe that they can prize Anthony away from New Orleans this summer.

So with the Lakers intent on making a deal to acquire the 5-time All-Star, here we will look at the three young Lakers players that will have to be included in a potential blockbuster trade between the Lakers and Pelicans.

#3 Josh Hart

Josh Hart's performances have somewhat gone under the radar, as the 23-year-old is the member of the Lakers young core that gets the least attention. Despite this, Hart has quietly pushed on from his impressive rookie season, and the shooting guard is currently averaging 9.0 points, 1.1 assists and 3.2 rebounds.

Hart has also established himself as one of the better shooters on the Lakers roster, shooting .378 from behind the arc. The young guard has also improved on the defensive end, and he looks as though he could quickly become one of the better two-way players in the league.

The Lakers man also has an attractive contract, as the guard's current deal runs until 2022, and his $1,934,160 salary for next season represents great value. Ultimately, Josh Hart could be a future star, and this means that the Pelicans will insist on the Lakers including the 23-year-old in any trade for Davis.

#2 Lonzo Ball

Lonzo Ball was widely expected to lose his spot in the Lakers' starting lineup this season. The 21-year-old was coming off of a mixed first season, and the Los Angeles team had just handed a one-year, $9 million contract to former All-Star, Rajon Rondo. Despite this, Ball has managed to remain an important figure alongside LeBron James in LA.

The point guard is currently averaging fewer points and assists than he did during the 17/18 season, although this can be attributed to LeBron James now being the focal point of the Lakers offence. Nevertheless, Ball has managed to improve his field goal percentage from .360 to .391, and his three-point shot has drastically improved since his rookie year.

The Pelicans are crying out for a starting point guard, as current first choice, Elfrid Payton is below-average and out of contract in 2019. Ball looks like a perfect solution to their problems, so the Pelicans will want Ball included in the trade for Davis.

#1 Brandon Ingram

Out of all the players in the Lakers' young core, Magic Johnson will be most eager to retain Brandon Ingram. Despite only recently turning 21, Ingram already has two full seasons behind him, and last season he averaged an impressive 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists.

The small forward has also successfully demonstrated that he can play alongside LeBron James, and the Lakers will be extremely reluctant to include him in any deal for Anthony Davis.

Nevertheless, the Lakers are well aware that the Pelicans will be in a powerful negotiating position. Davis will still have a year remaining on his contract in the summer of 2019, and the All-Star will also receive interest from teams such as the Boston Celtics and LA Clippers.

Ultimately, including Ingram may be the Lakers' only route to acquiring Davis, so the team will likely give in, and include their most prized young asset in the trade.