The Lakers signed Jabari Brown to a multi-year deal while formally waiving Steve Nash, who officially retired last week after missing the entire 2014-15 season because of a chronic back issues. Brown will stay with the Lakers for the rest of the 2014-15 season and have a non-guaranteed deal for next year. Lakers coach Byron Scott also suggested Brown will play on the Lakers’ summer-league team in July.
Brown concluded his second 10-day contract, coinciding with a career-high 22 points on 7-of-10 shooting in 33 minutes in the Lakers’ 113-111 overtime win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday at Wells Fargo Center.
Brown averaged 11 points on 46.6 percent shooting in 27.33 minutes through six games during his second 10-day contract. In his first 10-day contract, Brown averaged seven points on 57.9 percent shooting in 20 minutes per night through four games.
“He looked more comfortable and confident every game,” Scott said. “I’m very happy for Jabari because he’s put the work in and the things we talked about last year during training camp when we sent him down, he took those to heart and worked on him and did himself proud.”
Brown went undrafted out of the University of Missouri where he teamed with Lakers rookie guard Jordan Clarkson. Brown landed on the Lakers’ training camp roster, but he posted only a combined five points, two rebounds and an assist in 22 minutes through four exhibition games. Brown then posted a league-leading 24.4 points per game with the Lakers’ Development League affiliate, the D-Fenders.
Before Brown signed with the Lakers on a 10-day deal, Scott wanted to see him play with more aggressiveness. Brown provided that and some. Scott raved about Brown’s ability to create his own shot, assume ball-handling duties and defensive effort.
“He surpassed a lot of the things I thought he couldn’t do,” Scott said. “I put him in situations to see if he could and he’s able to do them. I’m very happy for him because obviously he’s put a lot of work into his game.”
That also coincided with Lakers forward Nick Young staying sidelined for the past month because of a fractured left knee. But Scott stressed it is too early to know if the Lakers will shut him down even with only nine games remaining.
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