Bynum for Anthony?

BOSTON -- Our friends at ESPN have reported this morning that the Lakers and the Nuggets have talked about a trade that would send Carmelo Anthony to Los Angeles and Andrew Bynum to Denver. Will it happen? A team spokesman denied comment. But consider that general managers talk all the time, particularly in the days before the trade deadline. it makes sense for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that Anthony is one of the league's best players and Bynum's progress has been stunted by a string of knee injuries. It doesn't make sense for other reasons, including the fact that the Lakers would be giving away one of their two 7-footers. Their size is their biggest strength.

Anthony would have to agree to a contract extension of $65 million over three seasons in order for the trade to happen, according to ESPN. Of course, the same people reported recently that an Anthony to the New Jersey Nets deal was on the final lap and it ended up collapsing in a very public heap. Over the weekend, the network also reported a Denver-New York-Knicks-Minnesota Timberwolves swap was in the works.

The trade deadline is Feb. 24. Stay tuned.