DeMarcus Cousins, NBA Trade Deadline, New Orleans Pelicans
Dec 11, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins (0) works around Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the second quarter at Toyota Center. USA TODAY Sports / Shanna Lockwood

The Los Angeles Lakers (11-22) will reportedly make a strong push for New Orleans Pelicans big man DeMarcus Cousins ahead of the Feb. 8 NBA Trade Deadline. Though the Pelicans haven't hinted at trading Cousins, the All-Star centre will be an unrestricted free agent in July and is expected to meet with several teams.

The Pelicans (18-16) are currently clinging to the seventh seed in the competitive Western Conference. If the Pelicans fall to under .500 at the NBA Trade Deadline, insiders expect New Orleans to shop Cousins. There are also those who believe the Pelicans have a good shot at retaining Cousins this offseason.

According to NBA insider Eric Pincus, the Lakers will target both DeMarcus Cousins and Paul George closer to the NBA Trade Deadline.

"Plan A for the Lakers is still LeBron James. Having said that, at the deadline, the Lakers have two targets: Paul George and DeMarcus Cousins. I think George is more of a long shot since the Thunder seem to have figured things out over the last 10 games. However, the Pelicans are a different story because they're just above .500. If they don't climb the standings, they will be open to move Cousins," Pincus said during the LakersNation Podcast.

Lakers Trade News: Could team offer KCP and Julius Randle?

Pincus suggested that the Lakers could potentially offer Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Julius Randle to the Pelicans in exchange for Cousins. While Caldwell-Pope is a free agent in July, Randle is about to become a Restricted Free Agent (RFA).

In a recent interview, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka was candid about his team's plans ahead of the deadline. Pelinka said the Lakers intend to be aggressive on the trade market this season.

"When there's needs on a team, I think you always have to try and address those. You can do it in the draft or free agency or trades. Magic and I are constantly looking at all three of those areas to try and make this team better," Pelinka said on ESPN LA Radio.

A year ago, the Sacramento Kings pulled the trigger on the long overdue DeMarcus Cousins trade when they shipped the All-Star the Pelicans in exchange for Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, a 2017 first-round pick and second-rounder (via Philadelphia 76ers). The Lakers had reportedly refused to include Brandon Ingram in a potential trade for Cousins. Stay tuned for the latest Lakers Trade News.