Lakers Rumors: Why Jodie Meeks Is Last Piece to LA's Championship Puzzle

The Los Angeles Lakers certainly reeled in a pair of prized catches this offseason, as they got point guard Steve Nash in a sign-and-trade deal and traded for center Dwight Howard, as well.

But backup shooting guard Jodie Meeks is the final piece that could put the Lakers over the top.

According to Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com, the Lakers and Meeks have agreed upon a two-year deal worth nearly $3 million, although that has yet to be confirmed by the team or the league. Such a signing may seem insignificant on the surface, but Meeks brings a lot to the table.

One of the Lakers' biggest issues last season was three-point shooting. Aside from Kobe Bryant, L.A. certainly lacks shooters. Metta World Peace was inconsistent in that regard, and the only true long-range guy off the bench was Steve Blake.

The Lakers have already added Nash to the fold, though, and Meeks helps them even more from that perspective.

Meeks averaged over eight points per game for the Philadelphia 76ers last season, including 1.5 trifectas per contest, and he hit them at a 36.5 percent clip. The Lakers would probably like to see that number closer to 40 percent, but Meeks is a big threat from beyond the arc, regardless, and would add another dimension to the team.

There is no doubt that Bryant, Howard, Nash and Pau Gasol are going to do the heavy lifting, but every great team needs good supporting players, as well. The Miami Heat proved that last year when integral bench players like Mike Miller and Shane Battier helped the likes of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh win it all.

The Lakers would be among the title favorites with or without Meeks, but he is the perfect guy to bring off the bench in order to spell Kobe, spark the team when it is trailing or hit a big three late in a quarter.

Meeks isn't a great all-around player by any means, but he is capable of filling it up when he gets hot and can really bury teams with his shooting.

When you add Meeks to guys like Antawn Jamison and Chris Duhon, the Lakers have a very capable bench that can keep them in games when the starters need rest. Come playoff time it is going to come down to the big guns producing, but the NBA season is long and arduous, so Meeks would get his fair share of opportunities to play an integral role.

The Heat proved the season before last that a starting lineup full of superstars isn't necessarily good enough to get the job done. They beefed up their bench last offseason, though, and that is one of the main reasons why they are now on top of the league.

Not only are the Lakers emulating Miami's superstar philosophy, but they are buying into the need for a strong bench, as well.

Oftentimes the under-the-radar moves are the ones that pay off most, and signing Meeks could fit into that category for Los Angeles. The Lakers seem very close to making that happen, and it will complete what appears to be a very quick and effective transformation from an aging, over-the-hill team to a championship favorite.

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