NBA Rumors: LA Lakers Must Make Play for Both Gilbert Arenas and J.R. Smith

At 17-12 the Los Angeles Lakers are very much in the hunt in the Western Conference. Despite that, it is clear that improvements need to be made. Gilbert Arenas and J.R. Smith have both been mentioned as targets, and the Lakers would be well-served to nab them both.

According to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak watched Arenas work out this week, while head coach Mike Brown had a conversation with Smith. Both players are similar in that they can hit open shots, but Arenas is more adept at ball handling, while Smith is a stronger defensive player.

With that in mind, Los Angeles has every reason to sign both players. Aside from Kobe Bryant, it's no secret that the Lakers severely lack players who can make perimeter shots. The only other player averaging at least one three-pointer made per game is guard Steve Blake, who has been hurt for much of the season.

Players like Metta World Peace, Matt Barnes and Derek Fisher are really hurting the team right now because they simply cannot make their shots. That puts all of the pressure on the shoulders of Bryant, Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol to score the basketball.

The issue is that opposing defenses key in on those three players and essentially have the luxury of forgetting about the other players on the floor. Those players have proven that they can't hurt them, so there is no real penalty for focusing solely on Kobe, Bynum and Gasol.

That would change completely with the signings of Arenas and Smith, though. Arenas' play dropped off after he was traded to the Orlando Magic from the Washington Wizards last season, but much of that had to do with a decrease in minutes. While with the Wizards, Arenas averaged over 17 points and two three-point field goals made per game, so he still has something left in the tank.

He isn't your prototypical point guard by any means, but he can obviously bring the ball up the court and he has averaged at least six assists per game in a season on four occasions. All of the pressure is on Bryant to lug the ball up the court and run the offense, so having Arenas in tow will allow him to play off the ball a little bit.

As for Smith, he has been one of the most dangerous bench scorers in the league over the past few seasons, but he would likely play an extended role with Los Angeles. Neither World Peace nor Barnes are getting the job done, so Smith might play starter's minutes off the bench.

Smith has averaged at least 12.3 points per game in each of the past fives seasons, and he has made two or more three-pointers per game in four of his past five games. While the competition level was clearly much lower than what he will face in the NBA, Smith was dominant for his Chinese team this season, pouring in 34.5 points per game.

Signing both players is a very real possibility as Arenas can likely be signed to the minimum contract since the Magic are already paying him a ton thanks to the amnesty clause provision. That would then allow the Lakers to use a salary cap exception to land Smith.

Getting one player would automatically improve the Lakers offense, but signing both would be a major coup. Teams will no longer be able to leave open shooters because both Arenas and Smith will hit their shots with regularity.

It remains to be seen if the Lakers are actually title contenders, and while Arenas and Smith may seem like minor signings, they are two players who could combine to put Los Angeles over the top.