Ex-Laker who scored 6.4 ppg in LA gives LeBron James and Co. a harsh reality check

After getting off to a hot start this season, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers have since struggled to maintain consistency, winning just three of their last ten games. Given that the team wants to make the most of James's remaining years, the franchise is all-in on a deep playoff run.

Nonetheless, former LA guard Patrick Beverley believes the Lakers are not a strong team. For them to have any chance at reaching the NBA Finals as they did in the bubble, Beverley argues they need to focus on acquiring a center.

Between now and the Feb. 6 trade deadline, Beverley thinks the Lakers know they need either a center or a defensive-minded guard to ease some of the workload on Anthony Davis and LeBron James.

"Lakers are ass, like straight up. It ain't J.J. redick. It ain't nothing. It's been coaches, it's been players. Lakers aren't good," Beverley said."They need a five, bro. A lot of people scared to say it, bro. You can't put AD at the 5. They had success in them winning the year they won it in the bubble. Cause they had a five."

"They need a five, man. They need to protect AD. ... That's a lot on AD and that's a lot on Bron. ... you got a 40 year old man at your four. That's asking a lot. They need a five or defensive guard. That's what they need. The Lakers know exactly what they need."

Looking at two potential big signings LeBron James-led Lakers could pursue between now and the trade deadline

The Lakers are struggling to maintain the same level of play as at the beginning of the season, so there has been plenty of talk about how the team can improve.

As Patrick Beverley mentioned, LA needs either a starting center to take some of the workload off Anthony Davis or LeBron James. Alternatively, Beverley suggested that the team pursue a defensive-minded guard. However, when looking at the trade market, there are two big signings LA seems likely to pursue.

The first is Jonas Valančiūnas, a player LA was linked to this summer before he was included in a sign-and-trade deal that landed him in Washington.

According to ClutchPoints's Anthony Irwin, sources around the league expect LA GM Rob Pelinka to inquire about acquiring Valenciunas once he's eligible for trade on Dec. 15.

In addition, the Chicago Bulls have been looking to part ways with Nikola Vucevic for some time now. With the veteran big man playing some of his best basketball in recent years, Chicago will likely try to find a suitable trade partner before the Feb. 6 trade deadline.

According to NBA insider Robert Peterson, Chicago is looking for a promising young player and two second-round picks in exchange for Vucevic. As Peterson indicated at the end of November, the Lakers have expressed an interest in him.

With Valančiūnas eligible to be traded on Sunday and the trade deadline rapidly approaching in the new year, only time will tell how things play out in LA.