Shooting guard Jabari Brown has agreed to a deal with the Foshan Long Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association, Marc Spears of Yahoo Sports reports (via Twitter). The length and terms of the arrangement are not yet known, nor if the pact includes an NBA out clause. It’s likely a one year deal that will allow Brown to return to the NBA after the Chinese season, or playoffs if his team qualifies, conclude, though that is merely my speculation.
Brown was the final player cut by the Lakers during the preseason this year, losing a battle with Metta World Peace for the team’s final roster spot. Lakers coach Byron Scott had called the choice to waive Brown a “very, very, very … difficult decision,” and added that “It was probably the most difficult cut that I’ve ever had to make,” as was relayed by Baxter Holmes of ESPN.com. Scott also told Holmes that with such a young roster, it was important to add a veteran who could mentor the team’s plethora of younger players, thus eliminating Brown.
The Lakers also cut Brown at the end of the preseason a season ago, and they claimed his D-League rights, making him an affiliate player. The team had that same option this year, and reportedly wanted Brown to rejoin the D-Fenders, according to Mike Bresnahan of The Los Angeles Times. But that was a prospect that didn’t tantalize the 22-year-old, and he apparently decided to go with the bigger payday overseas.
Brown made 19 regular season appearances for the Lakers during the 2014/15 campaign, including five starts. He averaged a respectable 11.9 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 29.9 minutes per contest. His shooting numbers were .412/.371/.753.
If it is a one-year deal, I expect a lot of demand for Brown when he becomes available, starting with the Lakers.