Lakers Rumors: 5 Reasons Los Angeles Must Avoid Gilbert Arenas Like the Plague

The Los Angeles Lakers are desperate to try and fix their struggling offense, but they could be ready to sink into pure desperation mode.

Multiple sources have indicated that the Lakers are leaning toward signing amnestied guard Gilbert Arenas.

But Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times contradicts those reports by saying that the Lakers haven't invited Arenas for a workout and are leaning against signing the guard.

For their own sake, the Lakers should be avoiding Arenas like the plague.

Here's five reasons why.

The Don't Need a Shoot-First Point Guard

The Lakers need another shoot-first guard about as much as I need a hole in my head, and that's what they get with Arenas.

What they need is a real point guard who can get them into their offense effectively and make smart decisions with the basketball.

That's not Arenas.

Arenas Isn't a Shooter

The Lakers need shooting also, but Arenas really doesn't help in that department either.

Arenas shot a paltry 34 percent from the floor last year, far below the 42 percent he averaged throughout his career.

His field-goal percentage was the worst among all NBA players who played 15 minutes or more per night.

Even worse was the 27.5 percent he shot from behind the arc, which is what the Lakers desperately need.

As a team, the Lakers only shoot 28 percent from behind the arc. Adding Arenas does nothing to help them. All they would be doing is rolling the dice on a washed-up veteran.

He Looks Washed Up

Other than the 2009-10 season, Arenas' numbers have decreased consistently since the 2005-06 season.

The past two years, he looked like his better days were behind him and he had yet to turn 30 years old.

Too many knee injuries will do that to you.

Wouldn't Fit into Mike Brown's System

While the Lakers need production from their backcourt, that guy will also have to commit on the defensive end of the floor, and that isn't Arenas.

He's not a rebounding guard, and he's only averaged two steals in a season one time in his career (2005-06).

Plus, with the bad knees, he would be a terrible matchup against the plethora of athletic guards in the Western Conference.

Too Much Baggage

The Lakers already have the rash personalities of Kobe Bryant, Metta World Peace and Matt Barnes. Adding another dominant personality could be asking for trouble.

That's not even including all the baggage Arenas would bring from years past.

The Lakers need to upgrade in the backcourt, but attempting to sign Arenas could prove to be a big mistake.