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According to multiple sources, free-agent guard Gilbert Arenas conducted a workout in the Los Angeles area Sunday that was attended by Lakers officials.
Arenas, the oft-controversial guard once involved in a gun-toting gambling dispute in an NBA locker room, is looking to make his return to the NBA following his release from the Orlando Magic following their use of the amnesty clause. From ESPN Los Angeles:
Arenas, who turned 30 last month, looked “slimmed down” and “explosive,” according to a source with knowledge of the workout, but no signing is necessarily imminent as the guard flew back to his home in Orlando, Fla., from Los Angeles on Sunday night.
Arenas has been practicing and playing himself into shape since having a blood-spinning treatment performed on both knees and Arenas’ hip, the same procedure that the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant had during his offseason that has rejuvenated the Laker icon to lead the league in scoring. With three surgeries on his left knee since 2006, Arenas had the procedure done on his hips as a preemptive measure that is often used on athletes that have a history of knee problems.
Arenas, who has been working out in Orlando since being cut by the Magic on Dec. 9 when they used their amnesty clause on the 30-year-old, would only be offered the veteran minimum of $1.4 million by the Lakers. Though, because of his positioning with the Magic after the amnesty clause, regardless of where Arenas plays, Arenas will be owed a combined $62 million over the next three seasons from the Magic.
Arenas averaged between 18.3 and 29.3 points per game from 2002 to 2008 but struggled in a reserve role for the Magic after being traded from the Wizards last season. If brought in the Lakers, Arenas would be a lock to start at point guard, moving Derek Fisher to the bench. Arenas holds the visiting player scoring record at Staples Center, when he dropped a career-high 60 points against the Lakers in December 2006.
Though, there’s less certainty regarding what number Arenas would take with the Lakers: Matt Barnes sports the no. 9 and Darius Morris the no. 1. Andrew Goudelock with his no. 0 would prohibit Arenas from reprising his role as Agent Zero. That is…unless Arenas chooses the rarely-sighted no. 00, not seen on the Lakers since Benoit Benjamin almost 20 years ago.
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