The consensus on how to make the Lakers better next season involves addressing the point guard spot.

Former Coach Phil Jackson suggested it in his final exit interview when he said the Lakers need to add "more speed" to their veteran-laden roster. Former Laker Robert Horry clamored for it when he acknowledged at the ESPYs that Derek Fisher's "age has caught up to him." And team General Manager Mitch Kupchak has tabbed the position as the off-season's No. 1 priority.

But as we all found out growing up, just because you put something on a holiday or birthday wish list didn't always mean our parents listened. Likewise, just because we want to buy a beach house, drive a sleek convertible or take an extended vacation around the world doesn't mean it's going to happen.

On the Lakers' end, they face plenty of constraints. No one knows what the next collective bargaining agreement will look like and how much the Lakers can draw from their mid-level exception. They are coming off a season that featured a $91-million payroll, and their core players are locked into long-term contracts. In other words, the Lakers aren't going to be able to add an All-Star point guard at the flip of a switch. But here are some options on how they can address their point guard needs.

Save up for Deron Williams or Chris Paul.

As most Laker fans have noticed when consulting these various free-agent profiles, the options are pretty limited. So as much as it's necessary for the Lakers to address their point guard needs, it's  unrealistic to expect them to suddenly bolster it. Instead, the Lakers would be better off working with what they have and then gear up for when Williams and Paul become free agents after the 2011-2012 season, presuming neither sign extensions with their current teams. Both players are starved for a championship. Both show elite point-guard skills. And both have much respect for Kobe Bryant.

This approach won't solve the Lakers' problems right away and could keep the team from winning a title next season. But making a push for a trade or a free agent this year might do more harm than good. It would require the Lakers to give away some of their resources for a short-term gain at the expense of a long-term investment. Any slight upgrade at point guard this year still may not result in an NBA title, and it would give the Lakers less positioning power to go after Williams or Paul next off-season. Because of how highly coveted they are and the salary Williams ($16.4 million) and Paul ($16.359 million) would command for next season, the Lakers would have to be tight with their finances this year.

It would be shortsighted, however, for the Lakers to simply unload salaries much like the New York Knicks did in making an unsuccessful attempt at LeBron James, because it would put them in a weaker position to win a title in the future. Andrew Bynum will have a team option in 2012-2013 for $16.1 million, but I highly doubt the Lakers would let him go unless they could get Dwight Howard. Lamar Odom enters next season with two years and $17 million left on his contract, including a team option in the 2012-2013 season worth a partially guaranteed $8.2 million, giving the team some possible wiggle room there. But other than those two scenarios, the Lakers would have to make small tinkerings to ensure they're financially in a position to get either Howard or Paul.

Considering each run to a championship a journey, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson has compared that process to a school year.

The season proves just as long. There are plenty of ups and downs. And there are plenty of teachable moments.

"It's a process that for me I've had great fortune in looking at seasons as something of a long haul where it's going to be an eight-month or seven-and-a-half month project," Jackson said before the 2010-2011 season started. "But in reality, you still have to give import to this opening game or this next game next week or this preseason game."

It's a tough balancing act between ensuring that team members strategically pace themselves without mailing in performances, and ensuring that they play sharp basketball without burning out. The most telling example is the San Antonio Spurs, who looked mostly sharp throughout the season en route to a Western Conference-leading 61-21 record, only to lose a six-game first-round playoff series to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Lakers guard Derek Fisher once argued that the team needs challenges and adversities because that allows for "true growth." That's fair enough, but save those lessons for the regular season.

Only a week ago, the Lakers appeared nearly invincible. They rattled off victory after victory. Andrew Bynum grabbed rebound after rebound. Ron Artest seemed more engaged. And Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom continued playing at a consistent rate, an ingredient surely needed once the postseason starts.

But that was last week. Since then, the Lakers have lost four consecutive games and have left fans scratching their heads how they could go from looking brilliant to overwhelmingly bad. The Lakers have a secure spot in the postseason, but that's not the barometer to measure the defending champions.

With the magnitude of trying to three-peat and appear in four consecutive NBA Finals, it's fair to question why the Lakers' effort has fallen so steeply, especially considering that the games significantly affect the playoff landscape. The Lakers (55-24) now have no chance to overtake San Antonio (60-19) for the top spot in the West and can't eclipse Eastern Conference leader Chicago (59-20). They are tied with the Boston Celtics (55-24) and Miami Heat (55-24), having the tie-breaker over the Celtics, while the Heat have the advantage over the Lakers.

They also have slim one-game and two-game leads, respectively, over the Dallas Mavericks (54-25) and Oklahoma City Thunder (53-26), meaning it's conceivable the Lakers could drop to  a fourth seed if they don't get their act together.

The Lakers presumably would take that step in their remaining games Sunday against the Thunder, Tuesday against the Spurs and Wednesday against the Sacramento Kings. But many thought they already would have righted the ship after losing a few games. Below the jump are a few variables on what the Lakers can begin to fix.

Just a reminder: I will be talking to Ron Artest soon and I will forward him 10 of your best questions. Tell me your questions in the comments threat, at The Times' Lakers Facebook page.

Rewind, fast forward, pause or freeze frame any highlight reel of the Lakers' 139-137 triple overtime victory Tuesday over the Phoenix Suns. Regardless of any clip you stumble upon, plenty of them will emerge that show the 18,997 at Staples Center waving yellow "Los Lakers" towels in a never-ending roller coaster ride.

There was excitement: Kobe Bryant's made a pull-up jumper over Channing Frye that clinched the victory. Ron Artest's somehow leapt for a one-handed dunk. And Lamar Odom provided enough coast-to-coast drives to leave him wanting to eat pancakes afterwards.

There was tension: Pau Gasol made two free throws forced triple overtime, Derek Fisher's hit two free throws to give the Lakers a three-point lead before Phoenix extended to double overtime. And Odom's foul that gave Frye three foul shots to force extra regulation left many biting their fingernails.

And there were theatrics: Bryant bit his jersey as if he forgot to eat his pregame meal. Artest blew kisses to the crowd, flexed his muscles and kissed his own biceps in a routine that left Odom arguing he should be a professional wrestler. And the team embraced after a well-fought victory, bringing a sentimental ending to the game, or soap opera for that matter.

Laker fans: Anything you have always wanted to ask Ron Artest? I will be talking to the all-star forward soon and we'll forward him your best questions. Feel free to leave questions on the comment threads below or at The Times' Lakers Facebook page. 

Game stories

--The Times' Mike Bresnahan details how the Lakers' prevailed 139-137 in triple overtime Tuesday over the Phoenix Suns.

--The Arizona Republic's Paul Coro explains how the Suns came up short. 

--The Riverside Press-Enterprise's David Lassen credits the Lakers for overcoming adversity.

--The Daily News' Elliott Teaford explains how the Lakers survived a marathon.

Sidebars

--The Times' Broderick Turner highlights Ron Artest's performance against Phoenix.

--The Orange County Register's Janis Carr wonders who will be the next Kobe Bryant.

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant

Lakers forward Lamar Odom

Among the highlights from Phil Jackson's pre-game press conference

On the Sun's makeup with Vince Carter and Marcin Gortat; Jackson calls Carter and Grant Hill the Suns' best post-up players.

On managing Phoenix's pace: "We try not to get caught up in the frenzy of it and try to control it with our offense by making multiple passes."

Jackson simply said "Yes" when asked how much the Lakers' 2010 NBA title influenced his decision to come back. When asked if it would've been easier to walk away losing in the Finals: "Right, I more than likely would've. I think it's pretty obvious winning capped off a great season."

He was then asked if winning a 2011 NBA title would insure Jackson's return: "No. There's no such things as four-peats."

--On Kobe Bryant's left ankle: "His ankle is looking much better and it's coming along, but there is still a process."

--On Matt Barnes since returning with a right knee injury: "He's still tentative out there with the things he's doing. I'm concerned he's feeling a little divorced with what we're doing a little bit. It looks to me sometimes he's not settled in the offense."

Lakers Coach Phil Jackson on Phoenix Suns

Join the chat box below the jump!

Lakers 139, Suns 137 (triple overtime)

Kobe Bryant scored 42 points and Ron Artest scored 18, including four in the third overtime.

The Lakers escaped after blowing a 21-point lead and improved to 13-1 since the All-Star break.

Lamar Odom had 29 points and 16 rebounds and Pau Gasol had 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Lakers.

Bryant also 12 rebounds and nine assists, coming up one assist short of a triple-double.

After Grant Hill fouled out with 2:19 left in the third overtime, Bryant had room to operate.

Bryant made a three-pointer over Jared Dudley for a 133-132 Lakers lead.

Then Artest did his thing.

He got a steal after Steve Nash lost the ball and raced down court for a left-handed dunk.

Artest then made a 15-foot fade-away for a 137-132 Lakers lead.

But Channing Frye made a three-pointer with 1:03 left to close the Suns' gap to 137-135.

Kobe Bryant made an 11-foot shot to give the Lakers a 139-135 lead with 14.2 seconds left in the game.