Lakers Rumors: Raymond Felton's Shooting Woes Makes Him Bad Fit for Los Angeles

It seems any and every point guard in the world has been discussed in some capacity as possibly joining the Los Angeles Lakers.

Raymond Felton is just another potential option.

Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com reported this on Felton, the Blazers and the Lakers:

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A league source has informed CSNNW.com that the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers have had “exploratory talks” regarding Trail Blazers' guard Raymond Felton.

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According to the source, talks have been ongoing for weeks and it is likely to involve Lakers' guard Steve Blake in the deal.

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CSNNW.com has also been told that terms of this potential deal “haven't got off the ground” but it is one that is being considered by both sides.

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The Lakers would be wise to leave these talks grounded. The Lakers' option at point guard must be able to do two things on a high level—defend and knock down open shots.

Right now, Felton can't do either on the level that the Lakers need. In case you haven't noticed, Felton isn't in the best physical shape. The rounder and slower Felton cannot effectively stay in front of most point guards in the NBA at this point.

Is he really a viable option to contend with players like Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose?

I don't think so, and I don't see him as a major upgrade defensively over what the Lakers already have. And, he certainly isn't better on defense than other possible options.

Kirk Hinrich and Ramon Sessions are both much better defenders than Felton.

Hinrich has long been lauded for his versatility on defense, and Mike Brown knows of Sessions' commitment on that end from his time in Cleveland.

On the other end, Felton is shooting a career worse 37 percent from the field and 24 percent from deep. Honestly, this is the biggest reason he doesn't fit.

When Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol or Andrew Bynum draw a double-team, they need dependable shooting options on the perimeter to pass to. Felton has been anything but that this season. He has gone to the Portland Trail Blazers' bench because of his ineffectiveness, and it isn't likely he'll find more success with just a change of scenery.

The Lakers have better options available. If those fall through, they would be better off making due with Derek Fisher and Blake rather than parting with assets for a struggling Felton.