Magic Johnson: 5 Ways the Lakers Can Fulfill Magic's Pleas to Overhaul Roster

Magic Johnson was one of the biggest proponents of breaking up the Los Angeles Lakers even before their embarrassing 122-86 Game 4 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.

The Lakers legend declared that owner Jerry Buss needed to "blow this team up" as they faced a 3-0 series hole, even at the expense of trading away Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol or Lamar Odom.

And he may have a point.

The Lakers didn't just look tired on Sunday—they have given up on themselves and coach Phil Jackson, who deserved more at the end of his historic coaching career.

This is a team with trust issues, degrading chemistry and aging legs. They need an overhaul.

But how?

Here are five ways the Lakers can revamp their roster to make another run at the NBA title.

5. Get a New Point Guard

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DALLAS, TX - MAY 06: Guard Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers leaves the court after a 98-92 loss against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2011 at American Airlines Cent

Let's face it, Derek Fisher, at 36 years old, has lost his legs, and there's nothing that's going to change that.

The veteran guard that has been there for so many years for the Lakers organization didn't even appear present in the playoffs, and speedy point guards such as Chris Paul and J.J. Barea blew through him as if he was a mirage.

His historic four-tenths-of-a-second buzzer beater seems like it happened ages ago, and his defense that once was good enough to hold off top guards has simply withered away.

It's time for a new point guard.

Two names that have sprung up are Kirk Hinrich and, of course, Chris Paul, who's a free agent after next season.

Either would be an upgrade.

4. Get Younger

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DALLAS, TX - MAY 08: Guard Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a three-point shot by Jason Terry #31 of the Dallas Mavericks in Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2011 at American Airl

This is an obvious move.

Derek Fisher can't be counted on anymore against the younger, more spry guards, forward Ron Artest has apparently lost all phases of his game, and the way the Lakers closed out on Mavericks shooters on Sunday, you would have thought they were playing in slow motion.

The Lakers need more youth in the starting lineup and on the bench, with Shannon Brown on the fence as to whether he'll exercise his player option for next year.

The Lakers' experience has officially been overwhelmed by other teams' youth and athleticism at this point.

3. Get More Athletic

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 28: Ron Artest #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during play against the New Orleans Hornets in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2011 at New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, Lo

Even the Lakers' youngest starter, center Andrew Bynum, is injury-prone and doesn't have a lot of lift.

The rest of the Lakers' starters have just enough lift to get off a jumpshot.

If you need any more proof that the Lakers need to get more athletic, watch Ron Artest try to dunk a basketball (i.e. in Game 4).

They need some players that can slash to the hoop similar to Shannon Brown, who may opt out of his player option for next season. Grab some youth in second round of the draft, through free agency and via trades.

2. Trade Bynum, Gasol and/or Lamar Odom

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DALLAS, TX - MAY 08: Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers is ejected from play against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2011 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

What was center Andrew Bynum's excuse for elbowing six-foot J.J. Barea to the floor in Game 4?

Via the LA Times:

"

“For me, it was embarrassing having the smallest guy on the court keep running down the lane and then making shots. So I just fouled him.”

"

This is coming from the team's youngest player and who was supposed to be their rock in the center, the player that Lakers Vice President of Player Personnel Jim Buss has defended time and time again.

There's no defending Bynum any longer. When you don't put in the time to stop players and start hitting them instead, you aren't a player worthy of being on a playoff team.

Some people are thinking that the Lakers could trade Bynum and perhaps Sixth Man of the Year Lamar Odom for Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, which would certainly be worth it, even after the year Odom had.

And if you have to trade Pau Gasol for Howard, you do that, too.

Long story short, you have to blow up this team, like Magic Johnson said. The chemistry is not there anymore...or the heart.

1. Get Dwight Howard

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ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 22: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic against the Atlanta Hawks during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on April 22, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expres

If Dwight Howard wants to come to Los Angeles, the Lakers need to do everything in their power to make sure he does so.

They need to do whatever it takes to trade for this guy. With Kobe Bryant on his last legs, this is the last hurrah for an immediate championship, and landing Howard would set them up for a championship once Bryant retired.

The Lakers likely won't have enough to offer Howard the max contract he will likely desire in free agency after next season, so they need to find a way to trade for him. It's that simple.

Anything short of that, with the exception of landing Chris Paul, is a disappointment.