The Lakers are looking into finding options at the point guard position irrespective of Steve Nash’s return date, and the Lakers are one of four or five teams interested in Mike Bibby, USA Today reported on Wednesday.
The Lakers have also been linked with free agent guard Delonte West, and ESPN’s Marc Stein has reported that Mitch Kupchak and company are likely taking a look at Mike James (free agent) and Jonny Flynn (last seen in Australia).
In addition to these options, the Lakers are also looking into trade possibilities to find a backup for the 38-year-old Steve Nash.
Regardless of which option the Lakers go with, the point guard position needs to be strengthened. Nash is no longer a 40-minute player at his age, and Steve Blake is expected to be out for nearly two months after undergoing abdominal surgery.
Darius Morris overachieved for a brief moment, but he is not the Lakers’ answer to the gaping hole at point guard for the next two weeks or the next year. Chris Duhon has stepped in well enough, but the latest three-game losing streak has only underlined the Lakers’ weakness at the position.
On Friday, Russell Westbrook torched the Lakers for 33 points and 8 assists. The next game, Mo Williams continued the trend by scoring 22 points and dishing nine assists in Sunday’s loss to Utah. To drive the point home, Kyrie Irving threw up 28 points and 11 assists in Tuesday’s loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Lakers fans were hardly sold on Steve Blake, but even Blake is not available for a couple months. Steve Nash is out for at least another couple weeks. As such, the Lakers need to stop the bleeding and find a useful solution.
The Lakers need a point guard that can create off the dribble, take care of the basketball, and defend opposing point guards. Considering the Lakers are currently four games below .500, they need that point guard now!
