DeMarcus Cousins trade: Lakers refused to include Brandon Ingram in package

The Sacramento Kings traded all-star DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans Sunday but not before engaging in discussions with the Los Angeles Lakers, among other teams. The Lakers reportedly refused to include rookie Brandon Ingram in the potential trade package.

According to the Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers were not willing to trade Ingram, who they drafted with the No. 2 overall pick during last year's draft. "Kings wanted Brandon Ingram in a trade package for Cousins, but Lakers refused to include him, league sources tell @TheVertical," Wojnarowski tweeted late on Sunday.

The Lakers have been loosely linked with DeMarcus Cousins trade chatter for several years. Earlier this season, Cousins lavished praise on the Lakers young core of D'Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, Brandon Ingram and Jordan Clarkson. Many insiders expected the Lakers to make a strong push for Cousins. According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak felt "Sacramento's asking price was too high" after engaging in discussions over the weekend.

DeMarcus Cousins trade: Pelicans acquire all-star

Cousins was eventually dealt to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for a package of Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, a 2017 first-round draft pick, a 2017 second-round pick (via Philadelphia) and Langston Galloway.

A little later, it was revealed that the Lakers were offering a packge of Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson and future draft picks for Cousins. Another report suggested that the Kings wanted a package of Lou Williams, Brandon Ingram and the Lakers' 2017 first-round draft pick (top-3 protected). Wojnarowski noted that the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers "discussed parameters on Cousins deal in (the) past 48 hours, but Sacramento ended talks in late afternoon (on Sunday)."

The NBA Trade Deadline is on Thursday. The Lakers are reportedly shopping the veteran quartet of Lou Williams, Timofey Mozgov, Luol Deng and Nick Young.