Lakers Rumors: Pau Gasol and 5 Players the Los Angeles Lakers Needs to Ditch

The Lakers are coming off a good win against the Clippers, but everything is far from perfect for the purple and gold.

Although Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol are one of the most talented trios in the league, the Lakers also have a lot of dead weight on their roster.

The amnesty clause will take care of one of these players this summer, but what to do about the others?

In an ideal world for the Lakers, these are five players they need to ditch to ensure a brighter future and also, more immediate success.

Luke Walton

Luke Walton is dead weight.

He may be a fan favorite, which I'm not sure why, but he is one of the least talented players in the NBA.

However, he is the fifth highest paid player on the Lakers roster.

It is not likely that LA would be able to receive anyone of value for Walton and he does not become a free agent until 2013.

I would be shocked to say the least if the Lakers re-signed him.

I stated previously that one of the players on this list will surely be amnestied this summer.

But I don't think it will be Walton.

I believe the Lakers will stick it out one more season with him before they can have a clean sever in 2013.

Derek Fisher

Derek Fisher is the weakness in the Lakers starting lineup.

The NBA is a new type of game today where players are getting more athletic each year, in particular, point guards.

It is becoming clearer and clearer that Fisher is not capable of guarding these new breeds of players, after serving as a lockdown defender previously in his career.

Although he is on contract until the year 2014, it is not likely that Fisher will be starting next season.

As a matter of fact, I wouldn't be surprised if his starting spot was taken this year, especially when Steve Blake gets back with the way he was shooting before he suffered his injury.

Not that he can play any better defense.

Fisher has done a lot for the Lakers organization throughout his career, but it is evident that his time is nearing its end.

LA would not trade him, so I am not saying ditch him in that sense.

I'm saying ditch him as far as having him in your starting lineup. The passing of the torch is inevitable.

Jason Kapono

Jason Kapono was an early acquisition for the Lakers during the long offseason.

I'm not going to lie, when I saw that LA had picked him up I thought it was a very good move.

However, I was thinking about 2006 Kapono who played for the championship Miami Heat team.

Hailed as one of the better shooters in the NBA, Kapono seemed like a good fit.

But his transition from Philadelphia to LA has not been the smoothest.

He possesses little to no athleticism and is far from your premier defender.

Last night against the Clippers he did not see the floor and instead Ebanks backed up Kobe Bryant at the 2 position, which I believe is a much better look for the Lakers.

Thus far, the Kapono experiment has not worked out for the Lakers and I think Mike Brown realizes that.

Kapono is going to start getting really familiar with the bench and the season ticket holders behind him.

Metta World Peace

Yes, I know he had a solid game yesterday and that he was being the Ron Artest everyone envisioned him being when he came over from the Rockets.

He was the intimidating bully that gets in your head and loves to beat his chest.

But here is the thing, he will not play like that every game.

Metta World Peace has been one of the most inconsistent players this season in the NBA and every time he touches the ball you can hear the Staples Center hold their breath.

Don't get me wrong, in a street fight I'm taking World Peace all the way baby! 

But as far as basketball goes, Metta World Peace is no Ron Artest.

He brings you close to nothing on the offensive end and in reality, he is not a premier defender anymore.

He is very entertaining to watch as you think to yourself, "What will Metta do next?" but there is no reason he should be the fourth highest paid player on the Lakers roster.

If anyone is getting amnestied by the Lakers this summer, it's MWP.

Pau Gasol

This slide may surprise you.

This slide may turn some heads.

Especially after Pau played one of his better games of the season last night, if not his best.

He came out aggressive and finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds, but the truth is Pau has not been producing like he should this season.

Whether it be the fact that he does not get enough touches in the paint or enough playing time, Gasol is the Lakers' best trading piece.

It is not so much that the Lakers should ditch Pau, but they should just use him to improve.

I am not the biggest Gasol fan to say the least, but I recognize that his skill set is unique and desired by many teams throughout the NBA.

The Lakers arguably have the second best center in the league in Bynum and could use a point guard facelift to pair with Kobe in the backcourt.

Gasol would be the Lakers' best bet in acquiring one via trade.

If he continues to play the way he played last night, expect the trade talk to lessen, but at the end of the day, I think it would benefit the Lakers in the long run to bring in a good point guard, like Deron Williams.