Predicting What LA Lakers Roster Will Look Like at Season's End

Sure enough, the once-upon-a-time championship-contending L.A. Lakers might be a team in need of drastic changes sooner than later.

Yet the question is, will anything change prior to the trade deadline following the All-Star break?

Players like PF Pau Gasol and C Andrew Bynum have been on the trade block since the beginning of the 2011-2012 NBA season, starting with what was a near-trade with the New Orleans Hornets for Chris Paul.

At just 18-13 on the season and 4-4 in their last eight games, the Lakers are surely thinking changes will have to be made sooner than later.

These are the five changes to the Lakers roster the team could well see before the trade deadline.

Derek Fisher and Steve Blake Will Not Be the Featured PGs

The point guard play of the Lakers this season has been inconsistent and unreliable for much of this season.

More so than the lack of ability shown from Fisher and Blake, it has been the coaching change from Jackson to Mike Brown that has thrown the Lakers' PG play off.

This season, the two are averaging a combined 12.1 points, and 6.7 assists. Blake is shooting 37.4 percent and Fisher 36.5 percent from the field this season. Talk about a disappointing stat line.

Expect the Lakers to search for a PG prior to the upcoming trade deadline.

Lakers Will Sign Gilbert Arenas

The Lakers need players in the backcourt, whether it's backing up Kobe Bryant or helping to improve the point-guard play.

Gilbert Arenas would be a player to provide that spark for the purple and gold, as it was just two seasons ago that Arenas was averaging over 22 points per game for the Washington Wizards.

Arenas is a sure-fire talent with plenty to contribute to a championship-contending team, as the Lakers could use a player like Arenas to boost the guard play.

Metta World Peace Will Be on the Move

Ron Artest is a defensive machine that seems to be taking a major decline in production in his 12th NBA season.

Artest has put up just 4.8 points and 2.6 rebounds in over 22 minutes of playing time per contest. He has seen a significant drop-off in production, and as a result, the Lakers are losing basketball games.

Although it may be difficult to find the right piece for a trade, it is likely that the Lakers would boast little to no hesitation to find a PG who can help carry the troops.

Acquisition of a Top-Notch PG

Although it will be anything but easy for the Lakers to find a top-notch PG to trade for in the league, there is certainly a major factor playing in their favor; they have the pieces to do so.

Given that the Lakers have made it clear Gasol is a player they have considered trading, there is no question the options have opened up for this team at the position.

Gasol is a top-notch player that other teams in the league could well be interested in acquiring this season. It would be a tough, difficult move for the Lakers to make. It would likely mean bringing in a solid PG to help boost the backcourt production, which could also mean good things for these Lakers.

Deron Williams of the New Jersey Nets is a PG that may fit well in the Lakers system, as he would provide another major scoring threat outside of Kobe Bryant and would bring a big body defensively as well.

Pau Gasol Will Be Shopped

As offensively polished and as underrated a PF there is in the league, there is no question that Gasol has struggles to fit in to Brown's system.

From the get-go, the Brown-Gasol relationship has been rocky, as it is likely that the two may part ways. It is not necessarily a good move for the team, but certainly plausible given the circumstances.

Gasol has been making his case to stay a Laker as of late, boasting a jaw-dropping nine straight games of at least 10 rebounds.

It would be a poor move on the Lakers part, yet it certainly seems Gasol is a major trading piece for this team nearing the trade deadline.