Jodie Meeks: Why Latest Signing Is Perfect Fit with Lakers

The Lakers are showing a careful awareness of attention to detail, especially in the bolstering of their roster from top to bottom with the signing of Jodie Meeks.

Meeks, who played last season with Philadelphia 76ers, is the perfect fit for what the Lakers needed—and the Lakers signed him to a reasonable contract. Mark Medina of the LA Times reports that the Lakers agreed to a two-year deal worth around $3 million for the shooting guard.

These are the kinds of frugal moves that win championships.

With the addition of Dwight Howard in the middle, the Lakers have one of the best starting fives in the entire league. Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, Metta World Peace, Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard can take the Lakers a long way, but they will still need big contributions off the bench from players such as Jordan Hill and Antawn Jamison.

Meeks should offer another solid player that can come off the bench and contribute. Meeks has been a proven shooter throughout his career—he is a career 37 percent shooter from beyond the arc and was a stellar shooter in college. Given the talent that surrounds him now in comparison to the offensively inept 76ers team that he played for last season, we can expect that percentage to go up.

An improved Meeks offers the Lakers something they haven't had before—a sniper to come off the bench. The value of a player that can come into the game and offer the offense a boost by knocking down shots is huge—just ask the Miami Heat where they would be without Shane Battier's hot shooting in the playoffs.

Meeks may not be an all-star or even a starter, but there's no doubt that he has the potential to be an invaluable piece to their offense.