NBA Rumors: Lakers' Interest in Gilbert Arenas a Good Sign for Dwight Howard

Free Agent Zero as a means and an end?

That might just be part of Mitch Kupchak's thought process.

According to Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld, the Los Angeles Lakers have reached out to Gilbert Arenas, who's been sitting on his couch since the Orlando Magic cut him loose in the fall using the NBA's one-time amnesty clause.

Okay, so maybe Arenas hasn't literally been sitting on his couch, but you get the idea. The guy hasn't suited up for an NBA franchise this season, despite having drawn interest from just about every team that has/had a need in the backcourt, including the Miami Heat and the New York Knicks.

Of course, the Lakers belong in that conversation, at the very least, and should probably be the ones leading it. Outside of Kobe Bryant, LA's backcourt has been largely abysmal. Derek Fisher has played to his age (37), Steve Blake has been hurt and the rookie tandem of Andrew Goudelock and Darius Morris has played like...well, a rookie tandem.

And while Arenas may not spark the interest of those who'd rather see Deron Williams (or Chris Paul) sharing the ball-handling duties with the Black Mamba, he'd still represent a noticeable and worthwhile upgrade in and of himself. Arenas isn't the three-time All-Star he used to be, though he's still more than capable of chipping in double-digit points and four or five assists per game while playing the point and backing up Kobe at the off-guard spot.

It stands to reason, too, that Arenas, a graduate of Grant High in Van Nuys, would do everything in his power to make the most of such a homecoming. The 30-year-old is healthy, 20 pounds lighter and plenty motivated to prove that he can still play at a high level for a playoff team.

As for Arenas' personal issues, all indications are that Agent Zero was nothing short of a model citizen during his time with the Magic last season.

With that improvement in behavior came a strong bond with Dwight Howard, the wantaway superstar who ripped into teammates after the Magic's 93-67 loss to the lowly New Orleans Hornets on Friday. Whether Howard's outburst will precipitate a trade out of town remains to be seen, though it certainly can't hurt the Lakers' case to have a confidante of Arenas' caliber on hand if/when that time comes.

What if Arenas signs and a deal for DH12 doesn't go down? Well, then the Lakers would just have to settle for a versatile scoring guard at a severe discount.

Either way, not a bad move for a Lakers team that could use some depth and experience on the perimeter.

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