Is T.J. Ford Answer at Point Guard for Kobe Bryant, Lakers in NBA Free Agency?
After the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs last season, Dwight Howard was viewed as a must-have to play the center position, when the real vacancy is at point guard.
While a dominant low-post player would be welcomed, the Lakers already have two in Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. They aren't as consistent as Howard, but they get the job done. Derek Fisher and Steve Blake are a different story.
Last season, Fisher averaged only 6.8 points and 2.7 assists per game in starting all 82 games. Blake, his backup, had an even bleaker production total, averaging a meager four points and 2.2 assists per night.
Yet all the talk has been about shipping Bynum to the Orlando Magic as part of a deal for Howard.
Los Angeles' real issue is in the backcourt, where it has a prolific yet visibly aging Kobe Bryant carrying the entire burden. Yes, he gets paid big money, but the Lakers aren't doing themselves any favors by leaving the backcourt production solely up to him at this point.
Enter T.J. Ford.
Ford is a free agent this summer who may be able to be had at a steep discount, given his lackluster numbers the past two seasons.
Last year, he averaged only 5.4 points and 3.4 assists per game, but this was on an Indiana Pacers team that heavily favored the likes of Darren Collison.
Ford's numbers with Indiana are not a representation of the player he has become but rather of the situation he was in. Look beneath the surface of his statistics and you'll find an extremely agile point guard with excellent court vision.
Additionally, Ford is a pesky defender, something Fisher is unable to be at 37 and something Blake is supposed to be but isn't.
Point guard is where the true problem lies. The Lakers need someone to run the offense and put the ball in Bryant's hands. Howard is not going to do that—but Ford will.
Los Angeles' cap space is nonexistent, but instead of wasting their energy trying to improve a position they have already solidified, the Lakers should turn their attention to an area they are actually lacking in.
Chris Paul and Deron Williams may be on their radar, but acquiring one of them via trade would cost them at least one of their big men, thus creating another clear vacancy.
Ford will come much cheaper via trade, and the Lakers even have an opportunity to sign him outright since his price tag will take a hit thanks to his below-average performance over the past couple of years.
Kobe is in need of a prolific backcourt partner, and while Ford has hit a rough patch in his career, he is fully capable of being a competent sidekick. It was a mere two years ago that Ford put up 14.9 points and 5.3 assists per game, a stat total the Lakers and their fans would welcome.
At 28, Ford is fully capable of regaining his composure, provided he finds himself in the right circumstances. With one of the best to ever step foot on the court playing right beside him, I'm inclined to consider that as favorable a situation as there is.
Fisher is a workhorse, and there is no denying what he has done for this team, but he is not the answer to the Lakers' point guard woes.
Logically, neither is acquiring Howard.
You can follow Dan Favale on Twitter here @Dan_Favale.
