Lakers Rumors: Why Signing Gilbert Arenas Would Be an Epic Fail for L.A.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been living in the land of mediocrity pretty much all season so far.

There is pressure on general manager Mitch Kupchak to do something to improve the 17-12 team who's looking up at the Los Angeles Clippers in the Pacific Division standings.

While it's true that Kupchak needs to find a way to improve the team, particularly by adding a legit point guard and some production from the win, there is one move that he should completely forget about making.

That would be signing Gilbert Arenas. Doing so would be an epic fail for the Lakers.

The Lakers recently attended a private workout for the free agent guard and while they certainly need backcourt depth, Arenas is not a good fit right now.

What the Lakers need is a real point guard without all of the questions and baggage that surround Arenas.

They need a guy who is a solid decision-maker and who can consistently knock down opposing shots to keep opposing defenses honest.

What they don't need is a guy that needs to take a lot of shots just to have a little bit of success.

They certainly don't need a guy like Arenas who averaged a career-worst 10.8 points a game and shot 36.6 percent in 2010-11 while playing for the Washington Wizards and Orlando Magic. Arenas had the worst field-goal percentage in the NBA last season of any player in the league that played 15 minutes per game.

The Lakers have enough problems shooting the basketball right now, they don't need to roll the dice on Arenas. It's a gamble, but one that could blow up in their face just as easily as it could work out.

The likely production that Arenas would give the Lakers is probably right around the combined 12.1 points and 6.4 assists per night they are getting from the current Derek Fisher-Steve Blake combination.

It wouldn't be an upgrade and that's what the Lakers need.

There's also the fact that the Lakers, while having issues on the offensive end, have bought into Mike Brown's defensive system.

What this Lakers team is doing is leading the NBA in rebounding (45.3 RPG) and playing great defense, allowing only 90.4 PPG—neither of which has been a strength of Arenas throughout his career.

It really doesn't make sense for Kupchak to add salary, even a veteran's minimum contract, for a guy that is unlikely to make a big difference in the Lakers lineup.

Instead, it makes much more sense to hold out for a Ramon Sessions or a J.R. Smith—guys that will have an impact down the stretch.

The Lakers can get by for now with their defense and rebounding.

There's no need for Kupchak to roll the dice on Arenas. There's a good chance he will crap out.