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The Lakers lack depth. The Lakers lack productivity from the point guard position. The Lakers lack scoring. If you were to take away anything from the first 19 games of this current season, those three would likely be high on that list.
But there might be a solution — one in the form of a 30-year-old guard who was once famously known for yelling out the name of a Japanese heating device with every shot.
Hoopsworld.com’s Alex Kennedy reports that the Lakers are eyeing Gilbert Arenas:
The Los Angeles Lakers have expressed interest in Gilbert Arenas, according to sources close to the situation. The 30-year-old is an unrestricted free agent after being amnestied by the Orlando Magic last month. No signing is imminent, but the Lakers have reached out to the veteran point guard.
League sources say that Arenas would love to join the Lakers. He grew up in Los Angeles and is interested in playing for his hometown team. He believes that he can contribute in Los Angeles’ backcourt, which currently features an aging Derek Fisher, injured Steve Blake and inexperienced Darius Morris. Arenas and Blake played together for two years with the Washington Wizards.
If health and conditioning are a concern, Kennedy mentions that Arenas dropped 20 pounds during the extended off-season, helping prevent any issues with his surgically repaired knee.
Arenas’ stint in Orlando may be a cause for concern. The three-time NBA All-Star struggled off the bench, was frequently in Stan Van Gundy’s doghouse and didn’t look like the player he once was. But his 17 point starting average last season with both the Wizards and Magic can add a much needed spark that the Lakers desperately need.
It’s worth noting that Arenas is good friends with Dwight Howard, a player the Lakers are widely known to have interest in, and according to reports, now at a crossroad with his Orlando teammates. Dwight pushed for Gilbert to get more playing time last season and was opposed to the team using it’s amnesty on the 6’4 guard
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