Their offseason acquisitions haven't made them a better team, several key players have been battling injuries and, although Kobe Bryant is scoring points, the Lakers aren't winning games.
The Lakers face several key decisions in regards to their personnel, but one thing is crystal clear—it's time for Pau Gasol to go.
Somehow, L.A. was able to acquire Dwight Howard and Steve Nash this offseason without parting ways with Gasol. Instead, the Lakers shipped troubled young center Andrew Bynum to the Philadelphia 76ers in a multi-team trade that landed Howard.
But in hindsight, the Lakers would have been better off getting rid of Gasol.
The 2012 season has been—far and away—Gasol's worst as a professional. Prior to this season, Gasol averaged at least 17.4 points in 11 NBA seasons.
But this year Gasol has been a disaster, averaging just 12.2 points per game and shooting a career-worst 41.6 percent from the floor.
Gasol has missed 12 games already this season due to injury, and he'll miss tonight's game against the Milwaukee Bucks as well.
This current Lakers team is flooded with scorers, and Gasol can't seem to find his role in the offense.
But head coach Mike D'Antoni insists that changes will be made once Gasol is cleared to return from a concussion.
"There's going to be a lot of changes. We have to try to do everything. If that works, we'll do it in a heartbeat...It's pretty evident we'd like to get him more touches down there."
D'Antoni's scheme simply doesn't coincide with Gasol's skill set, making the veteran forward expendable and potentially available via trade.
And despite a lackluster season up to this point, there are certainly teams around the NBA that should (and would) consider trading for the Spanish big...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
