What small forward has the second-highest Player Efficiency Rating (PER) after LeBron James? Carmelo Anthony? No, he’s #19. Caron Butler? No, he’s #10.

The answer is Trevor Ariza, and he just might be the answer to another riddle – the Lakers’ small forward problem.

Vladimir Radmanovic can’t play any defense. Luke Walton can’t shoot. Combined, they’ll make $10.5 million this season (or 13% of the team’s payroll).

But it’s Trevor Ariza (and his $2.9 M salary) who has played the best ball this season. In five games, he is averaging 9.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals in just 21.6 minutes of play. The big knock on Ariza last season was his lack of outside shooting touch, but he has improved in that area of his game and has hit 6-10 three-point attempts this season. He’s known for his athleticism and his defense, and with an improving jumper, he’s the best small forward on the Laker roster.

Radmanovic may continue to start games, but if Ariza keeps this up, he’ll be finishing them.

More on Trevor Ariza:

ESPN’s J.A. Adande says that Ariza is a “stealth player.”