Rival Executives See Obvious Flaws in Lakers Roster, but Help Is Available

The 6’3”, 215-pound guard, who was recently traded from the Miami Heat to the Memphis Grizzlies, doesn't have the size to defend bigger wings and doesn't have the ball-handling skills to run the point, but politically (more so than practically), he would make sense for the Lakers as a former Rob Pelinka client (from the Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager's days as a player agent) and is a Klutch Sports client (sharing agent Rich Paul with James).Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated mentioned both the Lakers and Clippers as potential suitors for Tyler Johnson, but the 27-year-old guard shot just 28.9 percent from three-point range in 31 games for the Suns this season.It's unclear if the Detroit Pistons will release Reggie Jackson, though Marc Stein of the New York Times tweeted last Friday the Clippers "have emerged as a likely suitor" should he become available.The Hawks haven't shown any clear signs they'll cut guard Jeff Teague, who is backing up Trae Young in Atlanta.Meanwhile, Isaiah Thomas was waived by the Clippers after a deadline trade, but he and James did not mesh well in Cleveland. He could fill the Lakers' needs as both a playmaker and a big wing (6'6").Still, "I'm not sure Turner is a good enough defender to put on Leonard," the former general manager said.But if there's one ideal player for the Lakers on the buyout market, it's former Clippers forward Maurice Harkless, who went from Los Angeles to the Knicks in the Morris deal. If he won’t get significant minutes in New York, with the Knicks unlikely to make a playoff run, Harkless may instead prefer to join a contender.If the Lakers can guarantee him a significant role, along with their $1.75 million disabled player exception from DeMarcus Cousins, perhaps Pelinka can convince him to push for an exit (assuming the Knicks are even willing to let Harkless go down this road).Harkless would immediately change the Lakers’ complexion in a playoff series against the Clippers, relieving James and the Lakers' otherwise overmatched defenders against Leonard. Smith isn't a playmaker or an ideal defender to challenge Leonard, but he is a proven shooter and scorer.The Lakers are expected to give free agent guard JR Smith a post-trade deadline audition (perhaps as soon as next week) and remain favorites to sign Darren Collison if Collison elects to make a comeback to the NBA -- in addition to potential pickups on the buyout marketJamal Crawford will turn 40 years old in March, but the accomplished guard poured in 51 points in his final game with the Suns in April 2019.