NBA Trade Speculation: Los Angeles Lakers Must Gamble for Devin Harris

Since the 2008-09 season, Devin Harris just hasn't been the same and we have no idea why.

He hasn't dealt with injuries, catastrophic events in his life or any drastic changes on the court. He did get traded to the Utah Jazz, but he saw his stats declining in the final year-and-a-half of his tenure with the New Jersey Nets. It's the most perplexing thing as to how a former All-Star like Harris has become a shell of his former self in less than three years.

In that 2008-09 season, Harris was actually one of the league's top point guards. He averaged 21 points per game on 44 percent shooting to go along with seven assists, three boards and two steals per game. All of those numbers were career highs and Harris was even granted entrance to his first-ever All-Star game. At only 25 years old, Harris was predicted to have a bright future ahead of him.

Then it all fell apart. Harris' point total dropped to 17 points and he only shot 40 percent. He didn't appear to be the same dynamic, electric guard that we knew of the year before. He wasn't even close to being on an All-Star level and was mostly remembered for being the starting point guard on a 12-70 team that also set the record for most losses to start the season.

Harris was traded to Utah, along with Derrick Favors and a first-round pick, near the end of the 2010-11 season in favor of Deron Williams. Harris wasn't too bad in 17 games with the Jazz. He averaged 16 points on 41 percent shooting, but he also converted on nearly two three-pointers per game at a 36 percent clip.

This year, however, has been just awful. Harris is still the starting point guard for the Jazz (it's not like they have a choice) and is currently averaging eight points on 35 percent shooting. He's averaging less than five assists and two boards per game and is only shooting 32 percent from deep. His minutes have dipped considerably due to his lack of quality play over the first 14 games of the season.

The Jazz aren't exactly stacked in the backcourt, which is why Harris continues to start. Earl Watson and Jamaal Tinsley are the backup point guards, and both players are currently averaging less than four points per game. Watson, however, is averaging more assists despite playing only 20 minutes per game.

A few miles away, the Lakers also happen to be struggling at the point guard position. With guys like Derek Fisher, Steve Blake and Darius Morris holding it down, it certainly wouldn't hurt if a down-on-his-luck point guard would like to join the Lakers to replace those three point guards.

The Lakers have long been plagued with insufficient point guard play. Even though Fisher may be the most ineffective starter in the NBA, the Lakers have started him in every game over the past four years. He's seen his numbers steadily decrease over the years and is currently averaging five points on 35 percent shooting, as well as four assists per game.

Fisher is good for timely baskets, but he's not the starting point guard that the Lakers need right now. In the past, it was acceptable because the Lakers had scorers like Metta World Peace and Lamar Odom that could help contribute. However, with no Odom and World Peace being ineffective, the Lakers desperately need the help, especially at the point.

The Lakers currently rank 19th in the NBA in points per game, behind such teams as Cleveland, Minnesota and Memphis. Even though L.A. has the third-highest scoring trio in the league between Bryant, Gasol and Bynum, they can't find any consistent scoring touch from anyone else on the floor.

They also rank dead last in three-point percentage and 26th in three-pointers made.

What the Lakers need at this point is a fourth scorer who can provide some support. Even a team like the Miami Heat with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh wouldn't survive without guys like Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller, so what makes you think that an inferior trio in Bryant, Gasol and Bynum would manage?

With Devin Harris' stock so low and the Lakers desperate for answers to help solve the many questions surrounding their offense, perhaps a deal could be worked out between the two organizations.

There couldn't be a better time to trade for the point guard. He's started off the season awful, is playing discouraged and that could mean a trade might be imminent. It wouldn't be surprising either as the Jazz could really use the help in their backcourt. With Harris and C.J. Miles as the current starters and players like Watson, Tinsley, Raja Bell and Alec Burks being backups, it's painfully obvious that the Jazz could use some young talent.

What a coincidence that the Lakers happen to have young talent in their backcourt. They don't have much, but Darius Morris and Andrew Goudelock may be enticing to a team like the Jazz. Even a veteran like Steve Blake would help that team out. They need scorers and perimeter players who can stretch the floor in order to free up their plethora of quality frontcourt players.

If the Lakers want to find a fourth scorer for an extremely low price, there is a bargain on Devin Harris. His lack of quality play over the years has caused his trade stock to dip extremely low and the Jazz may be enticed into trading him for the right players. Aside from the rookie Burks and Harris, each member of the Jazz frontcourt is 31 years or older.

The Jazz are all about young talent as well. They've been giving plenty of minutes to Enes Kanter, Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors lately. If the Lakers dangle two young players with plenty of potential, the Jazz may just be willing to give up Harris.

With Harris, the Lakers are able to replace Odom as a fourth scorer. He hasn't been playing well to start, but anything is good for this Lakers team at the moment. They don't have one consistent scoring threat on the floor outside of Bryant, Gasol and Bynum and that's going to drastically hurt them come playoff time when depth becomes key.

At 10-6, the Lakers are off to a quality start when you consider the circumstances. Bryant's bad wrist, Odom's absence and a new coach all could have contributed to a slow star for L.A., but they've managed to overcome.

In order to get over the top, however, they need to make some improvements. Trading for Harris in the near future would seemingly be the smartest thing to do at this point.