NBA Rumors: Kobe Bryant's Endorsement Will Bring Gilbert Arenas to Los Angeles

It is abundantly obvious to anyone who watches the team that the Lakers need to improve their point guard play to be taken seriously as a title contender. Help is not far off, as the possibility of Gilbert Arenas joining the Lake show is becoming more realistic. 

According to Ken Berger of CBSSports, a key member of the Lakers has already made it clear that he approves of a potential Arenas signing. 

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Not only do the Lakers intend to take a look at Gilbert Arenas whenever he holds a workout in his attempt to reignite his career, the team also has Bryant's blessing to sign him, two people familiar with the situation told CBSSports.com. Perhaps just as important, Arenas, 30, has Bryant's personal stamp of approval.

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Berger added:

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It isn't clear whether Arenas will show Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak what he needs to see to take a chance on the three-time All-Star, but one person with knowledge of the team's strategy said the Lakers may not have the complete answer until they see Arenas in actual game action. Bryant has reached out to other players this way, most notably Metta World Peace -- back when his name was Ron Artest and the Lakers signed him in 2009.

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The question after that is simple. Would Arenas be worth the risk? The answer is just as simple. If Bryant is giving his endorsement to the move, absolutely. Kobe has one thing on his mind right now, and that's winning championships. 

I have no idea if Bryant and Arenas are good buddies, worst enemies or anywhere in between. But knowing Bryant's history, that doesn't matter. He is only going to give his endorsement to someone if he feels it will bring the team closer to a championship. 

Objectively, Arenas is a much better player than Derek Fisher, who's manning the point guard position now. 

It all boils down to offense, which is Arenas' specialty. In Arenas' career, he has averaged better than 21 points per game, shooting above 35 percent from three-point range. 

The numbers don't need to be that prolific for Arenas to be dangerous. Playing in the same backcourt as Kobe Bryant, the only thing you need to do is knock down the open shots that will come when Bryant is double-teamed. Arenas will do that. 

This move would also allow the Lakers to keep their frontcourt tandem of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum together. They are already a formidable duo and either man could also be moved for a small forward, or depth. 

Arenas has earned the right to show the Lakers what he has. If Bryant wants him, then the team needs to do everything in its power to bring Arenas in. The lethal shooter is worth the risk. 

Whether you like it or not, I would suggest you get used to it. If Kobe wants to see it happen, it's hard to imagine it not happening.

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