Report: Lakers interested in Gilbert Arenas

Could Arenas be headed for Los Angeles to join Kobe? (Getty Images)

Posted by Royce Young

Here's how you know you might need point guard help: You're calling Gilbert Arenas up.

According to HoopsWorld, the Los Angeles Lakers are interested in the veteran point guard, who was cut via the amnesty clause by the Magic before the season started.

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.

By all accounts, Arenas is in shape and ready to sign on with a team. And the Lakers make a decent amount of sense. Arenas wants to play on a good team and the Lakers desperately need some help at that position. As well as scoring options. Arenas could potentially help with both.

Arenas played relatively well in Orlando averaging better than 17 points a game in games he started, but he never did settle into a backup role well. And that could be the challenge for him in Los Angeles. Derek Fisher will likely remain the starter and Arenas would have to push to beat out Steve Blake (when he's healthy) and rookie Darius Morris.

It's just a matter of need and if the Lakers need offensive help, specifically at point guard, that badly, then Arenas is one of the best answers on the market. He'd likely sign for the veteran minimum, so he'd be a low risk deal. And if he could find a little of his old self, it could be a great signing. You want to avoid distraction or an upset in chemistry and with Arenas being an older veteran, I think he'd handle his business well. Especially since he doesn't have a lot of options right now.

#1Cowboys Since: Dec 23, 2006	Posted on: January 30, 2012 1:04 pm Report: Lakers interested in Gilbert Arenas despite being only a couple years younger than Kobe. Meant to say a couple years OLDER than Kobe. [ Reply to Comment ]
#1Cowboys Since: Dec 23, 2006	Posted on: January 30, 2012 12:39 pm Report: Lakers interested in Gilbert Arenas CLARKCALLY, I agree. The development of Morris and Goudelock weren't going to make or break this season. In the future they may play larger roles on the team, but if the Lakers contend for a championship it won't be because of Morris or Goudelock. The comment about Marbury, Iverson and Hardaway is ridiculous. Marbury and Iverson were extremely selfish players who did not get along with coaches because everything had to be their way. Neither wanted to work hard to maintain their physical conditioning or improve their game. That is why Marbury hasn't played in the NBA in almost 3 years and Iverson hasn't played in almost 2 years, despite being only a couple years younger than Kobe. Hardaway...C'mon. He hasn't played in the NBA in over 4 years, and has only played 20 games in the last 5 years. BTW, he'll be 41 this year. The comment about Marbury, Iverson and Hardaway is so ridiculous it doesn't even make a point because Arenas is nothing like any of those guys. [ Reply to Comment ]
hubbaral Since: Dec 10, 2006	Posted on: January 30, 2012 10:39 am Report: Lakers interested in Gilbert Arenas OK, so do we also look at Stephon Marbury, Allen Iverson and Penny Hardaway? [ Reply to Comment ]
CLARKCALLY Since: Jun 25, 2009	Posted on: January 30, 2012 8:11 am Report: Lakers interested in Gilbert Arenas When you are picking up players like this you have to take into consideration attitude, chemistry on the team and if he understand his position on the team. The key thing is his past relationships with other teams and why he is no longer with any of those teams. The day Shannon Brown and Lamar left El Segundo is the day attitude and chemistry left the Lakers. As it stands right now this team NEEDS anybody that resembles decent PG play. Morris is learning the position but it's difficult to learn to play PG in the NBA in a lockout shorten season where there's limited practice time. Having Arenas in the mix doesn't set development of the younger guys back because they really wasn't going to learn that much and be major contributors this season anyway. The Lakers road to the finals this year is going to come from consistent half-court scoring and suffocating half-court defense, not athleticism and youth. We aren't built that way. We've been fortunate during our championship runs to have a blend of both. This team is older AND learning a new system. They had zero face break points last night! They aren't going to get out of the Western Conference with Kobe having to score 30 a night! That is not going to be OKC 4 out of 7 games. Is Arenas the best answer? No. But he is a low-risk/high reward player who has been resting the entire season so far and can provide some much needed minutes to our aging backcourt. My only concern is I can think of 5 other teams who need a PG. Why is LA the only interest Arenas is receiving? [ Reply to Comment ]
#1Cowboys Since: Dec 23, 2006	Posted on: January 29, 2012 11:10 pm Report: Lakers interested in Gilbert Arenas Against the T-Wolves, Derek Fisher scored 5 pts in 33 minutes and the Laker bench scored 15 pts in 55 minutes of play. I think Gilbert Arenas could score more than 1 pt every 4 1/2 minutes. I don't see the risk. [ Reply to Comment ]
#1Cowboys Since: Dec 23, 2006	Posted on: January 29, 2012 7:50 pm Report: Lakers interested in Gilbert Arenas let's get older AND slower Everyone wants to get younger and faster, but ultimately everyone wants to get better. When you look at the other possibilities are out there, who can make the Lakers better? Each option comes with risks and costs. Arenas cost nothing; no draft picks, no players, no exemptions. The Lakers risk nothing. If he doesn't work out, cut him. Nothing lost. If someone wanted to give me 1000 lottery tickets for $5, what the heck...its only $5. Not much of a downside, with lots of upside. [ Reply to Comment ]
ebonyrod2 Since: Aug 4, 2008	Posted on: January 29, 2012 6:00 pm Report: Lakers interested in Gilbert Arenas I don’t think Arenas is the answer under any circumstance. There must be a reason why he was placed as an amnesty player. There must also be a reason no one else is jumping to take this talented guy that would be a good fit for just about any team. When you are picking up players like this you have to take into consideration attitude, chemistry on the team and if he understand his position on the team. The key thing is his past relationships with other teams and why he is no longer with any of those teams. Apparently he had a problem with coming off the bench while with the Magic. I don’t think he will change his mind after coming to the Lakers. He will say the right things to get on the team, but deep in the recesses of his mind he still think of himself as a starter. This equal problems in the locker room and problems on the team. I am willing to bet that there are at least 2 things against Arenas that would cause him to be a problem on the Lakers this season. We have a point guard that is learning the game. Morris will not learn playing behind 3 other point guards and pounding the bench. This team is not in a position of having to win now, we will probably make the playoffs. It just a matter of how far into the playoffs we would go. We need for Morris to get all the experience he is able to get so we are able to win next year and the following year, not picking up these one year wonders and go without winning for 2-3 seasons because out future point guard is currently sitting on the bench. “GO LAKERS” “ONE MAN’S OPINION” [ Reply to Comment ]
OriginalMadness Since: Apr 2, 2008	Posted on: January 29, 2012 5:36 pm Report: Lakers interested in Gilbert Arenas What position do you play? How long have you been on the team? You must be the last guy on the bench, cause I heve never seen you on the floor. And I didnt know the Lakers had a WITCH at the point. WHICH person are you refering to as being a WITCH. Idiots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [ Reply to Comment ]
kingharpoon Since: Jan 12, 2012	Posted on: January 29, 2012 4:19 pm Report: Lakers interested in Gilbert Arenas are they really that desparate ? wg=hat happens if he pulls a gun on Kobe ?? The guys a moron and the league is better without him. [ Reply to Comment ]
rollnoles10 Since: Aug 2, 2007	Posted on: January 29, 2012 3:16 pm Report: Lakers interested in Gilbert Arenas Years Hey at old i dont mind taking Arenas for a small amount of cash, He is better then the options we have now. I would love to see calderon in a Laker uniform or even J Nelson if we go after Howard witch at this point should be a NO Brainer!! We need help and we need help fast!!! Its getting Late Early boys! LOL! I hope we get it together fast because the Bucks loss was just UGLY! Real Ugly! [ Reply to Comment ]

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