NBA Trade Rumors: How Chris Paul Would Impact the Los Angeles Lakers

New Orleans Hornets' star point guard Chris Paul will meet with his front office to discuss his future with the team and voice his desire to be traded. One of the teams atop his list of places he would like to go is the Lakers. And why not?

The Lakers are the two-time defending NBA champions, they have the game's best player, and they have all the pieces to make a title run even without Paul.

Paul, however, would be a enormous addition to a team that already appears to need little help defending its title. There is no doubt Paul could fit on the roster (though it may take financial footwork), but how does the roster shape up should the point guard head west?

Derek Fisher

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON - JUNE 10: Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks across the court in the second half against the Boston Celltics during Game Four of the 2010 NBA Finals on June 10, 2010 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly

Steve Blake

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 13: Steve Blake #2 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives the ball down the court against the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on November 13, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

The Lakers signed Blake to serve as Fisher's backup.  Bringing Paul would likely not change his role too much.   The Lakers used their mid-level exception very wisely with addition of Steve Blake. The veteran point guard not only fills a need on the depth chart, but he is also a smart ball handler, strong defender, and quality perimeter shooter. 

The Lakers could be more apt to use Fisher as the backup should they sign Paul. Either way, Fisher and Blake would battle for playing time.

Kobe Bryant

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and ag

Sasha Vujacic

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

PHOENIX - MAY 29: Sasha Vujacic #18 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during Game Six of the Western Conference finals of the 2010 NBA Playoffs against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on May 29, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeate

Luke Walton

Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 03: Luke Walton #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass against Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics in Game One of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 3, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly

Ron Artest

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 15: Ron Artest #37 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on while taking on the Boston Celtics in Game Six of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 15, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges a

Andrew Bynum

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers rebounds the ball in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowled

Pau Gasol

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 15: Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts while taking on the Boston Celtics in the first period of Game Six of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 15, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User express

Lamar Odom

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

Theo Ratliff

Doug Benc/Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 18: Theo Ratliff #42 of the Charlotte Bobcats gets the opening tip over Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic after being tossed into the air by official Dan Crawford #43 in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during th

Matt Barnes

Doug Benc/Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - MAY 26: Matt Barnes #22 of the Orlando Magic drives against the Boston Celtics in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on May 26, 2010 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ackn

Phil Jackson

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

BOSTON - JUNE 13: Head coach Phil Jackson of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Boston Celtics during Game Five of the 2010 NBA Finals on June 13, 2010 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics won 92-86. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ac

And then there is how Paul would fit into Phil Jackson's triangle offense.  Kobe has been the crux of the triangle offense, working with Gasol and Bynum.  That doesn't leave much room for an All-Star point guard used to having the ball in his hand a high percentage of each possession. 

That's not to say the Lakers couldn't work with Paul, because if anyone is going to fit one of the league's best point guards into a system, it's Phil Jackson.

It would not be an ideal fit, and it may not even work smoothly at first, but Paul would be a positive addition to the already formidable Lakers, regardless of how he transitions into the triangle offense.