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The Los Angeles Lakers have found themselves in a bit of a crisis. For starters, their prized free agent LeBron James has missed the last two weeks due to injury and now, they will be without point guard Lonzo Ball for 4-6 weeks with an ankle sprain. Now, the Lakers will lean on the veteran leadership of Rajon Rondo whenever he retunes form his injury.
While that may not be a bad choice, the question remains if they could do better?
As the NBA season draws to its midway point, the Lakers are in the playoff hunt.
With the return of LeBron nearing, will Rondo be able to handle the load? In all cases, the simple answer to that should be yes. Rondo has won a title, led the league in assists, and can help guide the Lakers' young players until Ball returns. But still, what if he goes down again before Ball makes his way back?
The Lakers, despite their array of talented wing players, cannot afford to lose any more ground. With games coming up against the Warriors, Sixers, Celtics, Clippers, and Pacers, things could get pretty rough for the guys in purple and gold.
The Lakers will need players like Josh Hart and Lance Stephenson to step up. On the year, Stephenson is averaging 7.0 points and 2.0 assists per game. Hart has contributed 9.2 points and 1.5 assists. Not floor general numbers. At this point, the Lakers have no choice but to make a trade somewhere.
Here are three point guards the Los Angeles Lakers should try to acquire.
3. Trey Burke, New York Knicks
At the start of the season, Burke was the Knicks' guy. He's fallen out of the rotation, which means the Lakers may be able to get him for cents on the dollar. On the year, Burke is averaging 11.1 points and 2.8 assists. While those are not All-Star numbers, Burke is quick, can hit from the perimeter, and has a point to prove.
By adding Burke, the Lakers would have a veteran they can count on to add some stability to an offense that has had trouble scoring this season. On the defensive side, the Lakers are solid. However, it's their offense that has suffered. They could use the outside shooting of Burke to help create space for Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma on the wings.
2. Terry Rozier, Boston Celtics
Rozier will be a hot commodity come trade deadline time as the Celtics will either have to trade him or risk losing him this summer. Knowing Danny Ainge, he would rather get something in return for his valuable backup point guard. With Kyrie Irving stating that he's returning after 2018, the writing was on the wall for Rozier anyway.
On the year, Terry Rozier is averaging 8.5 points and 2.8 assists. Much like Burke before him, Rozier doesn't offer much in terms of being a facilitator. But that is not what the Lakers need with Rondo on his way back. Besides, they have players willing to share the ball with Ingram and Kuzma. What they could use Rozier for is scoring off the bench, which is the same role he currently has with the Celtics.
1. Derrick Rose, Minnesota Timberwolves
If there is one player who has earned a right to redemption, it's Derrick Rose. This season for the Timberwolves, Rose has averaged 19.3 points and 4.8 assists. Rose has been the topic of many trade rumors, but he's also been mentioned as a possible All-Star.
What the Lakers must consider is the same thing the Wolves are going through now with Rose. Is he better than their current starting point guard? For Minnesota, Rose has outperformed Jeff Teague. In Los Angeles, Rose would easily be the starter over both Ball and Rondo.
LeBron and Rose teamed up once before, but it didn't quite work out so well for them in Cleveland. However, this version of Rose is much different. He has found his MVP form and has resurrected his career. He could jump right in to the Lakers' starting unit and give them a great chance to keep any momentum they have going until Ball and Rondo are healthy.
