Gilbert Arenas: Los Angeles Lakers Remain Veteran PG's Best Option

The NBA season got underway on Christmas day with point guard Gilbert Arenas still sitting on the free-agent market. He seemingly wants to play for a contender, and judging by the performance of Derek Fisher, the Los Angeles Lakers would be a terrific fit.

Fisher is no longer the player who helped the Lakers win five championships during his two stints with the team. He's nothing more than an average playmaker. His best quality at this point might be his leadership.

Arenas, who obviously carries some baggage with him, still has the ability to rejuvenate Los Angeles' offense at a reduced price. He averaged 17 points and six assists with the Washington Wizards last season before struggling to find a niche with the Orlando Magic.

There would be no shortage of playing time available with the Lakers should Arenas show off some of his old flair.

He'd immediately become the most talented point guard on the roster, which makes signing him worth any potential risks that come along with it. It's hard to imagine the Lakers being legitimate title contenders with Fisher and Steve Blake running the point.

Trade talks for Dwight Howard have calmed in recent days, so the Lakers will need to look elsewhere to upgrade the roster. After watching the rival Clippers make a marquee addition in the likes of Chris Paul, the Lakers need to do something to steal some of that thunder back.

While Arenas isn't a sure thing, you'd be hard pressed to find somebody with more upside still available. And should another team suffer an injury at the position in the coming days, he would suddenly become a hot commodity.

He would be a low-risk move for the Lakers, and as teams will start finding out soon, depth might be this season's most valuable resource. The condensed schedule is going to put some teams in rough shape by mid-season, so another talented body or two can't hurt.

Arenas is going to get picked up eventually, so the Lakers might as well give him a chance before anybody else does. It could turn out to be the most cost-effective move any team makes this season.

And for Arenas, "Agent Zero" would be given a chance to shine once again.