Lakers reserves remain in flux

Which way will the Lakers’ second unit play? Impossible to tell game to game.

Andrew Goudelock continued to make an impact but Metta World Peace cratered against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Goudelock had 13 points Saturday and World Peace had only four in the Lakers’ surprising 100-89 loss to the Bucks.

It was bad timing for World Peace. Lakers Coach Mike Brown said before the game the veteran forward might eventually work his way back into the starting lineup.

“I’m not opposed to that,” Brown said.

Then World Peace came off the bench, made one of six shots in 21 minutes and cemented his status as a non-starter.

Goudelock had 14 points against the Clippers and was again a scoring source against Milwaukee, making five of 10 shots.

Overall, the Lakers’ reserves remain in flux.

“We’re a little screwy right now, but we’ll get it straight hopefully,” Brown said.

Blake back soon?

Steve Blake did some light shooting Saturday morning but was still not ready to return from a rib injury.

He is with the team on its short two-game trip mainly because there’s not enough time in the compressed season to leave him behind.

“Steve Blake is an important part of the second unit,” Brown said. “We literally are teaching at every opportunity we can, so he needs to be around us to hear and at least watch so that when he does come back, he’s not as far behind.”

Meanwhile, the Lakers are discussing internally whether to pursue free-agent guard Gilbert Arenas, though they haven’t invited him for a workout and are leaning toward not signing him.

Arenas, who turned 30 on Jan. 6, has been without a team since Orlando waived him last month via the “amnesty” provision in December. He had at least three knee surgeries since 2007 and averaged a career-low eight points and 3.2 assists in 21.8 minutes for the Magic last season. He shot 34.4%, another career low.

Dehydration hits Goudelock

Goudelock had the game of his life against the Clippers. Then he had a scare 36 hours later.

The rookie began feeling ill on the team plane Friday while traveling to Milwaukee. As soon as the plane landed, he went to a hospital and was treated for dehydration.

He stayed overnight under medical supervision but was cleared to play Saturday against the Bucks.

“I got real hot and I started sweating profusely,” Goudelock said of the plane ride. “I knew something was up. I just needed to get more fluids.”

A second-round draft pick last June, Goudelock made five of nine shots against the Clippers. He had scored a combined 10 points in his previous 10 appearances.

Goudelock replaced fellow rookie Darius Morris as the Lakers’ backup point guard while Blake remained sidelined.

mike.bresnahan@latimes.com

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