Lakers Speculation: Shocking Personnel Changes Phil Jackson Was Hinting At

Former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson may no longer be on the Lakers sidelines, but that doesn't mean he isn't keeping tabs on his former team.

Jackson spoke to Sam Smith of Bulls.com and speculated that we could be seeing some personnel moves from the Lakers pretty soon:

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"I think they’re learning the system, coming together," Jackson said. "They’ve got new pieces. Speed isn’t what they want it to be. This is a team that’s been used to playing whatever level of half court and taking care of opponents with execution. With their new kind of way they’re going to play I think they’re going to have some speed and some easier baskets and easier ability to make some points. I think they’re a team in transition, so to speak, and we’ll see some changes. I don’t think they’re done changing the personnel."

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Although it's purely speculation at this point, what changes could Jackson be talking about?

For one, the Lakers should forget about Dwight Howard. There are more pressing needs for this organization.

Most notably, the Lakers desperately need an elite point guard.

No matter how well Kobe Bryant is playing at the moment, this Lakers team can't win in the postseason without solid point guard play.

What does that mean, though?

Deron Williams would be the ideal guy, but is he completely committed to playing with Howard?

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak should be very aggressive in finding out.

If not Williams, then who? Steve Nash for a couple seasons? An improving D.J. Augustin?

They just don't need an upgrade at the point—they need an elite point guard. Kupchak can't screw this up.

Priority No. 1 for this team is solved. Now, they just have to go out and get their man.

The plan for the Lakers should look something like this:

They can add acquire a major player this season. They would have to get creative and include a third team, but they've had success with that before.

Next of all, eliminate the dead weight and bad contracts. They still have their amnesty clause to use next season, and they can pawn off some contracts in trades as well.

Finally, put yourself in position to sign a major free agent next season.

If they can do all that, this franchise will once again be set up to be dominant again for some time to come.