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Lakers Eyeing Gilbert Arenas
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:03 am
by Jellybeans8
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.
Arenas spent the summer working out in Orlando, losing 20 pounds as he prepared for the upcoming season. The weight loss should prevent further issues with his surgically repaired knee, which was a cause for concern during his brief stint with the Magic. The three-time All-Star is healthy and looking forward to proving that he can still play at a high level if put in the right situation.
In Orlando, Arenas struggled to come off of the bench behind Jameer Nelson. Stan Van Gundy had Arenas on a short leash and would often pull him from games if he made a single mistake. However, he did have the opportunity to start 16 games last year and he was extremely productive. As a starter with the Magic, Arenas averaged 17 points, six assists and 2.5 steals. He averaged similar numbers – 17.3 points, 5.6 assists and 1.4 steals – in 21 games with the Wizards prior to last December’s trade.
Off the court, Arenas wasn’t a handful or distraction for the Magic. His teammates enjoyed his company, especially Dwight Howard. The two spent a lot of time together over the offseason and during the lockout. In November, Arenas played in Howard’s charity basketball game, which ended up being the point guard’s final game alongside his Magic teammates.
At this point in his career, Arenas would likely sign for pro-rated veteran’s minimum. He’s a low-risk, high-reward addition and the Lakers seem to be weighing all of their options when it comes to improving their backcourt. Los Angeles currently has 15 players on their roster, which means they’ll have to waive someone if they decide to sign Arenas.
Gilbert Arenas Looks to Latch onto Dwight Howard's Future Home
Re: Lakers Eyeing Gilbert Arenas
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:05 am
by NBA Fan 1234
Meh...don't think he'd do much. Shot was way off last year, had no lateral quickness, looked like he had no athleticism left, and was poor on defense. I guess he's a low-risk, high reward player...but I don't even think there's a "high-reward" possible TBH.
Re: Lakers Eyeing Gilbert Arenas
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:07 am
by KnicksJunkie
This is a bit of a panicky move for the Lakers. Based on what I saw last year, he was finished. Now, he is just another year older, coming out of a lockout without a team...
Re: Lakers Eyeing Gilbert Arenas
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:08 am
by World Peace
He's better than Fisher so we should sign him.
Re: Lakers Eyeing Gilbert Arenas
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:12 am
by FPJ
I enjoyed watching Arenas play over the years. As a basketball fan i'd really want seeing him play again. If he's healthy i dont see him doing any worse than Fisher even tho its been awhile since he last played. It would be silly for a team in the Lakers situation (no decent PG) not to get him (thing could only go better).
Re: Lakers Eyeing Gilbert Arenas
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:14 am
by Nick Sigler
Even if it's true that he has no quickness/speed/athleticism left, he's still better than anyone in the Lakers back court not named Kobe.
Re: Lakers Eyeing Gilbert Arenas
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:18 am
by Oakville_Raptor
haha I called this a week ago that he'd end up on the Lakers
Re: Lakers Eyeing Gilbert Arenas
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:18 am
by KnicksJunkie
World Peace wrote:He's better than Fisher so we should sign him.
I'm not that sure he is...
Re: Lakers Eyeing Gilbert Arenas
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:19 am
by InjuryProne
KnicksJunkie wrote:World Peace wrote:He's better than Fisher so we should sign him.
I'm not that sure he is...
Re: Lakers Eyeing Gilbert Arenas
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:21 am
by G35
Don't do it....
Re: Lakers Eyeing Gilbert Arenas
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:22 am
by RamonSessions7
InjuryProne wrote:KnicksJunkie wrote:World Peace wrote:He's better than Fisher so we should sign him.
I'm not that sure he is...
But he is though
Re: Lakers Eyeing Gilbert Arenas
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:23 am
by dballislife
take a peak at Nash while ur at it
Re: Lakers Eyeing Gilbert Arenas
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:24 am
by Desiderium
whats the worse that can happen. sign him and give it a shot. could be the spark off the bench lakers need
Re: Lakers Eyeing Gilbert Arenas
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:25 am
by Oakville_Raptor
KnicksJunkie wrote:World Peace wrote:He's better than Fisher so we should sign him.
I'm not that sure he is...
Arenas is clearly better than Fisher. How could you not see that?
Re: Lakers Eyeing Gilbert Arenas
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:28 am
by KnicksJunkie
Oakville_Raptor wrote:KnicksJunkie wrote:World Peace wrote:He's better than Fisher so we should sign him.
I'm not that sure he is...
Arenas is clearly better than Fisher. How could you not see that?
Arenas looked pretty finished to me last year. Fisher is old, but at least he has chemistry with his teammates. Arenas would come in, and the whole offense would have to completely adjust. I don't know that it would be worth messing with...
Re: Lakers Eyeing Gilbert Arenas
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:45 am
by World Peace
KnicksJunkie wrote:World Peace wrote:He's better than Fisher so we should sign him.
I'm not that sure he is...
C'mon now.
Re: Lakers Eyeing Gilbert Arenas
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:49 am
by GoldenKnight
Watch the Lakers, then you'll know a "finished" Arenas is better than the Fisher we have. Chemistry? Please, Fisher is the worst passer on the team and thinks he can drive the ball when 7 footers are right next to the rim. Fisher is good to come off the bench & perhaps hit a couple of 3s, he is still clutch I will give him that.
Arenas would be a solid pickup for the team in my opinion, seeing that when either Fish or Blake get injured, we have to put in a rookie PG in the game, I would much rather have Arenas and he is only 30, he still has some game left.
Re: Lakers Eyeing Gilbert Arenas
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 10:11 am
by MigrainePatrol
World Peace wrote:He's better than Fisher so we should sign him.
No.
Re: Lakers Eyeing Gilbert Arenas
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 10:27 am
by DRose4MVP
Question: WHY THE HELL AREN'T THE LAKERS PURSUING DERON WILLIAMS????
Re: Lakers Eyeing Gilbert Arenas
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:37 am
by World Peace
DRose4MVP wrote:Question: WHY THE HELL AREN'T THE LAKERS PURSUING DERON WILLIAMS????
Kinda hard to do when he isn't on the trading block. If we acquire Howard then Deron will be on the trading block and we can pursue him in a 3 team deal.