There is still time for the Lakers to make a splash after the franchise has been relatively quiet this offseason. If the proof is in the pudding, they are not a championship team with their current roster construction.
During their Olympic gold medal run, LeBron James and Anthony Davis showcased that they are still two of the top players in the NBA, and their talent could be wasted if Los Angeles fails to make a move.
Darius Garland is a name that should be at the top of Rob Pelinka's wish list. The Cleveland Cavaliers guard, despite some risk, has the potential to be the game-changer the purple and gold have been searching for. The Lakers cannot afford to wait, and Garland, at 24, is the most sensible option on the market.
"I think we are always going to be aggressive in trying to make roster upgrades, and we will be relentless in continuing to look at what we can do," said Pelinka back in July.
"This is the season of being mindful of all the different things we can approach to improve the roster."
LeBron James showed this Summer how deadly of a combination he can be playing alongside an elite shooter while paired with Stephen Curry. Garland is not Curry, but he certainly has the potential to be an upgrade over the current inconsistency on the roster.
He is a knockdown three-point shooter who can also distribute the basketball. He lacks versatility on the defensive end, but so does the player he would potentially replace, D'Angelo Russell.
The Lakers have watched Russell come up short in the playoffs for two consecutive seasons, and Garland has proven to be a solid postseason contributor. He has outperformed Russell in nearly every statistical category during their playoff careers, including points, assists, steals, and shooting percentage.
Russell is a good NBA player, but this current roster has run its course. They need to make a change if they want to get over the hump.
The Cavaliers would be willing to listen to offers and, if the price is right, could move the guard. Garland and Donavan Mitchell have both shown to be better when the other is off the court, and they just locked up Mitchell for three more years.
Garland is a player who could help with the roster's current inconsistency.