Despite the success of a 27-7 start for the Los Angeles Lakers, one rival NBA executive is offering his opinion that the team is still in need of another guard to run the offense.
Right now, the only true playmaking guard the Lakers have is Rajon Rondo. The belief that the Lakers need another guard of that mold is because the 33-year-old Rondo’s statistical numbers have dropped from last year’s.
“The Lakers need another playmaking guard,” one Eastern Conference executive recently said. “Rondo’s not what he used to be. The ball sticks with him, and he doesn’t defend anymore. They need another point guard to help LeBron. If they’re going to make a trade, that’s what they need to target.”
The Lakers lineup this season has largely ignored the traditional role of point guard with either James, Avery Bradley or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope handling the rock.
The problem is that James’ primary position is at forward, while Bradley and Caldwell-Pope have spent the bulk of their careers at shooting guard.
The recent injury suffered by James kept him out of the lineup for the Dec. 22 blowout loss to Denver. That loss was an indication that keeping him healthy is paramount to any success the Lakers hope to enjoy.
Reducing the burden on James to handle the playmaking aspect would likely benefit the Lakers. One potential possibility has emerged in recent days, with reports surfacing that retired guard Darren Collison might be considering a comeback with either the Lakers or Los Angeles Clippers.
There’s no indication exactly when Collison might make such a decision, but the 32-year-old veteran would provide a boost to the Lakers. Last season, Collison averaged 11.2 points, 6.0 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game for the Indiana Pacers.
Until that decision is made, the Lakers will focus on the present, with their next game set for Friday night at Staples Center against the New Orleans Pelicans.
