L.A. Lakers: Ranking Best Options at Point Guard After Ramon Sessions Opt-Out

In March of 2012, the Los Angeles Lakers orchestrated a duo of deals that left them without five-time NBA champion Derek Fisher. In response to that loss, the Lakers acquired the point guard that many felt would elevate them to their third title in four years in Ramon Sessions.

Three months and three days later, Sessions has announced that he will not exercise his option to remain with the Lakers.

While Laker nation may be up in arms, the only logical step to take is one in the forward direction. In order to do so, Mitch Kupchak and company must land themselves a replacement for their original replacement.

The question is, who fits best?

6. Steve Nash, UFA

There is one reason that Steve Nash is this low, and that's because the one and only chance the Los Angeles Lakers have of pulling this off is by executing a sign-and-trade with one of their most storied rivals.

Forgive me for my pessimism, but I don't see that happening.

In a dream world, however, Nash would be a dream signing. He's arguably the greatest facilitator since John Stockton and may go down as one of the top five point guards of all time because of that. At 38, he's showing no signs of slowing down on his journey up the all-time assists leaderboard, posting an average of 10.7 dimes per game in 2012, second to only Rajon Rondo.

You can criticize his defense and call him too old, but keep in mind you're talking about the best facilitator in the NBA whose name isn't Rondo.

5. Chauncey Billups, UFA

Chauncey Billups is a former NBA champion, NBA Finals MVP and five-time NBA All-Star. He's established himself as one of the game's best late-game performers and has posted career postseason averages of 17.8 points, 5.9 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game.

As recently as 2010, Billups posted playoff averages of 20.3 points, 6.3 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals on 45 percent shooting from the floor.

While Billups will be 36 at the beginning of the 2012-13 NBA season and returning from a season-ending Achilles injury, his prowess at the point is virtually unmatched around the NBA. Despite his age, Billups remains a step ahead of the younger competition on many fronts, contributing a defensive toughness and loose-ball grittiness that can be infectious.

Tack on his reputation as "Mr. Big Shot," and you have the late-game killer that Kobe Bryant was wishing Ramon Sessions and Steve Blake could be. Billups would be Derek Fisher and much, much more.

4. D.J. Augustin, RFA

D.J. Augustin is a talented player stuck in two of the most frustrating positions imaginable. He is playing for the Charlotte Bobcats and stuck behind a rookie who is stealing his playing time.

A new beginning could be just what the doctor ordered.

Augustin has adequate athletic ability and a scorer's mentality, which is complemented by a beautiful jump shot. While Augustin may struggle on the defensive end, he is a high-intelligence player with a respectable work ethic.

This may not be the name Lakers fans are dying to hear, but it should be a name that they know.

3. Raymond Felton, UFA

Raymond Felton is coming off a very disappointing season in which his lofty salary of $7.6 million was far from earned. As a result, the cost of signing the former North Carolina Tar Heel is likely to be at a much lower price.

For those skeptical about what Felton could bring to the team, don't forget how brilliant his play was as a member of the New York Knicks. In 54 games, Felton posted averages of 17.1 points, 9.0 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. It's far from rational to expect those type of numbers from Felton should he join the Lakers, but it's certainly not out of the question.

Felton's quickness and push-the-pace mentality would work well with the Lakers' bigs. His ability to avoid full-court pressure and set up an offense before opponents can get back is exactly what the Lakers need to drive and dish their way to victories.

Just take a gander at what Felton was able to do for Amar'e Stoudemire. Expect the same should he land alongside Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol.

2. Andre Miller, UFA

According to Christopher Dempsey of the Denver Post, Andre Miller has made it clear that he wants to play for a winner.

While the Los Angeles Lakers cannot guarantee Miller a title, they are a team whose greatest positional need happens to be the point. Consider Miller the cure-all who could save the Lakers from yet another disappointing end to their season.

There is no denying how much of a void the Lakers possess in terms of athletic ability on the perimeter. There is also no way around their lack of a three-point marksman. Considering Kobe Bryant is the Lakers' lead facilitator, however, there should be nothing more important to Los Angeles than signing a player who can handle the point guard duties for 30-plus minutes a night.

While he's far from flashy, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more responsible point guard than Andre Miller. Miller's elite passing ability and ever-improving court vision, as well as his unparalleled ability to improve the quality of frontcourt teammates, fit what the Lakers need.

1. Goran Dragic, UFA

Goran Dragic is one of those players that the Internet falls in love with, but who general managers view as what he is.

That is, a player who hasn't proven anything over the span of a full season.

Due to this fact, the Los Angeles Lakers might just be able to pull some strings and bring him in for a cheap enough deal to fit their ugly luxury tax situation.

Might be.

Regardless of the likelihood financially, the option of signing Dragic is the best for the Lakers. Pulling out a sign-and-trade is also a possibility since the Lakers and Rockets have a strong history of deals.

As for what Dragic would bring to the Lakers, consider him what L.A. had hoped for in Ramon Sessions, but more. His combination of upper body strength and quickness alone would change the dynamic of the Lakers, while his ability to penetrate off the dribble and defend the more athletic point guards in the league would cure the Lakers' biggest woe.

There is no better option than Goran Dragic.