Lakers Rumours: 5 Reasons Gilbert Arenas Isn't Right for Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Lakers have struggled this season, but now is not the time for desperation moves, and only a desperate team would sign Gilbert Arenas.

The Lakers are thin at point guard; after Derek Fisher, their other options are the injured Steve Blake and Darius Morris, a rookie.

The team has also failed to get the necessary production from its bench players. The Lakers reserves are averaging just 19.4 points per game, the lowest in the league.

To fix these two problem areas, the Lakers could bring in a scoring point guard, which is an accurate description of Gilbert Arenas.

However, adding the controversial Arenas to the roster would cause more problems than it would fix.

Here are the top five reasons that the Lakers should stay away from "Agent Zero."

5. Struggles When Coming off the Bench

Gilbert Arenas' last productive stretch was before his suspension in 2009-10 when he averaged 22.6 points per game for the Washington Wizards.

In the middle of the next season, he was traded to the Orlando Magic and was used as a sixth man.

His scoring production dropped dramatically and he finished out 2010-11 averaging just eight points per game for Orlando.

His inability to score was not only due to a drop in the amount of shots Arenas took and he was terribly inefficient, shooting just 34 percent from the field and 27 percent from three-point range.

If Arenas was to sign with Los Angeles, he would likely be featured off the bench to try and add a scoring punch to the second unit.

This is a role that Arenas has struggled with in the past, and his future with the Lakers would be no different.

4. Can't Play with Kobe

Usage percentage is a metric that shows the number of possessions a player uses up while on the floor, and unsurprisingly, both Gilbert Arenas and Kobe Bryant have high usage percentages.

Since the 2008-09 season, Arenas has a usage percentage of 30 when on the floor. This year, Bryant has used 38.2 percent of the Lakers possessions, the highest in the league.

Having two guards on the roster who rarely pass the ball would be a problem for the Los Angeles.

While Arenas would likely come off the bench, the two players could not play together, as no other Laker would see ball.

The Lakers have struggled all season to get other players besides Bryant involved in the offense. Adding Arenas to the squad would amplify this problem.

3. No Defense

The Los Angeles Lakers have made a renewed commitment to defense under Mike Brown, and signing Gilbert Arenas would be in contrast with the Laker coach's new focus this season.

After a good defensive effort by Arenas during a game last season, Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy identified many of the guard's shortcomings as a defender.

"I think he had been playing guys too soft and giving them too much," Van Gundy said.

Van Gundy did go on to say that Arenas had potential to improve, and had done so since coming to Orlando. However, he clearly did not believe these improvements were significant enough, as Arenas averaged just 21.8 minutes per game and was cut this offseason. 

The Lakers have been struggling on offense, and Arenas may or may not be able to help in that area. What is certain is that Arenas is a defensive liability that Los Angeles does not need at this point in the year.

2. Another Locker Room Distraction

This offseason, the LA Lakers found themselves caught in a firestorm after the league vetoed a trade for Chris Paul, and they faced turmoil in the locker room because of it. Signing Gilbert Arenas would only add fuel to the fire.

Lamar Odom's relationship with the organization was damaged so badly that he was given away to Mavericks for nearly nothing in return.

Pau Gasol has remained stoic throughout the fiasco, but rumors are still swirling about the Spaniard being traded.

With so many new players, a new coach and trade rumors being discussed in the press every day, the Lakers' locker room dynamic is more fragile than it has been in past years.

Arenas was always considered an unpredictable personality, but his 50-game suspension in 2010 for brandishing a firearm over a gambling dispute with a teammate shed new light on how much a problem the three-time All-Star can be. 

Bringing Arenas on board would create a new problem for Mike Brown and the coaching staff. They have their hands full enough as it is.

1. Isn't That Good Anymore

The top reason that the Lakers should stay from Gilbert Arenas is that he is just not that good at basketball anymore.

2006-07 was the last time that Arenas put together a full, productive season. Since then, injury woes and off-the-field problems have relegated him to the lower tier of NBA players.

Arenas was mediocre at best with Orlando this past season, and was arguably the most overpaid player in the NBA. He averaged just eight points and 3.2 assists while committing 2.2 turnovers per game.

After being cut, Arenas could be signed at a fraction of the salary dictated by his last contract, but would still likely be overpaid.

He is a below-average defender, shoots too much and does not make enough of the shots he takes. He is a selfish player and struggles when he is forced to take a peripheral role on a team.

The Lakers have a lot of questions, but Gilbert Arenas is the answer to none of them.