Lakers Rumors: Top 3 Available Players for Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers may be 17-12, but recent losses to the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers show that they need to upgrade their roster if they are to contend for the title this season.

The Lakers' biggest need is at point guard. Derek Fisher may as well have been invisible guarding Jeremy Lin on Friday, and Steve Blake isn't a legitimate starter for the Lakers.

But that doesn't mean the Lakers won't address other areas, too.

Here's a look at the top three players available who have been linked to the Lakers.

3. Gilbert Arenas, PG

I almost hate to even put Gilbert Arenas here, but among the Lakers' rumored targets, he appears to be the third-best player available.

Arenas is obviously older at 30 years of age, and he certainly has character concerns, but he would at least be an upgrade over Fisher. He has the ability to put up points, and he actually tried much harder on defense when he was with the Orlando Magic.

If it comes to this, the Lakers should add Arenas.

2. Ramon Sessions, PG

Ramon Sessions has languished behind star rookie Kyrie Irving this season, but he played well in a starter's role with the Cleveland Cavaliers last season.

Sessions averaged 13.3 points and 5.2 assists in 81 games for the Cavaliers last season, shooting 46 percent from the floor. He's shooting 35 percent this season, but I would expect him to come around in a starter's role.

The only problem with Sessions is that he's not a very good defensive player, which is really what the Lakers need at the point guard position. But he would add offense that Fisher doesn't.

1. J.R. Smith, SG

J.R. Smith tweeted on Tuesday that he "had a great talk with Coach Brown."

There's no question that J.R. Smith can shoot the ball from downtown, shooting 37 percent from beyond the arc for his career.

In that regard, Smith would be a big help for the Lakers at small forward, where he has the ability to play.

Metta World Peace and Matt Barnes have been horrid from downtown this season, which is one of the reasons why the Lakers are shooting 29.8 percent from three-point range, 27th in the NBA.

Smith can hit the three ball, and he also adds athleticism to the aging Lakers. I actually like this option a lot.

Plus, World Peace is apparently unhappy with head coach Mike Brown.

World Peace recently said, via ESPNLosAngeles.com:

"

"Right now, coach is a stats guy. His background is video coordinator or whatever. So he's all stats. But Ron Artest is all feel."

"

Smith would be a welcome replacement for World Peace in L.A.