Where Art Thou, Agent Zero?

Recent reports have linked the enigmatic Gilbert Arenas with the Los Angeles Lakers. In a weird season, the addition of Arenas would be a move that would fit well with both the team and, in a larger sense, this year’s NBA.

On a team that needs to be in the limelight, Arenas would fit right in. For a player who needs reigning-in, who better to do it than Kobe. On a team that has at least one player who is losing interest in the game, the addition of another head-case couldn’t hurt. Could it?

In Los Angeles, the Lakers need to be really good or interesting. During most of the past decade, they were both. Despite having Kobe Bryant on their roster, the current Lakers team has become the second most-exciting team in the Staples Center.

Lakers fans might argue that they have the better team, but that may not be the case this season. Tied for fifth-place in the Western Conference and in second-place in their own division (and city), the Lakers are far from a favorite in their conference.

Which brings us to Arenas. Agent Zero. Habachi. Arenas is known for sizzling nets, averaging over 25 points per game for three consecutive season.

The Lakers got a new defensive-minded coach this season, but are underachieving offensively — a big no-no in LA-LA land. Mike Brown’s team scores a measly 92.5 points per game — tied for 22nd in the NBA. Three point guards who split playing time have averaged a combined 17 points per game this season. Arenas has averaged 17 or more points per game for 8 of his 11 seasons in the NBA.

After losing Lamar Odom at the beginning of the season, Kobe Bryant has logged minutes that no 34 year-old should have to shoulder — especially not one in his 16th season, most of which have included deep playoff runs. Odom’s loss has put a burden not just on the front-court, but the entire team.

Picking up Gilbert could do nothing but help. Even if his presence is detrimental to the team, what real impact will it have? Certainly Arenas’ presence cannot be any more disruptive than Metta World Peace has been over the past few years. And Gilbert sharing time on the floor with Kobe, Pau, Bynum and World Peace would be must-see-TV.

I suppose Areas’ presence would be interesting, if nothing else.

And in Tinseltown, in a season like this one, being interesting probably makes up for the craziness factor. As a friend of mine said recently, “I’d watch that.”