<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> After four tumultuous years with the Washington Wizards, 23-year-old Kwame Brown is looking to a bright future with the Lakers. In a risky move, the Lakers have agreed to a sign-and-trade deal for Brown, who is 6-foot-11, in exchange for starters Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins. "Obviously he's excited to get a fresh start and come to the Lakers," Brown's agent, Arn Tellem, said on Thursday. "They are a great franchise with a great history. He's had very good talks with Phil Jackson and (Lakers general manager) Mitch Kupchak, and the talk with Coach Jackson really had a great impact on him. He has the highest regard for Kobe Bryant and is excited about the opportunity to play with him." Brown is the big body the Lakers desired, an athletic power forward who also can play center. But he was overwhelmed at times in Washington and failed to live up to expectations after being drafted No. 1 out of high school in 2001. Brown, handpicked by Michael Jordan when he was a player and executive with Washington, was pushed hard by Jordan and the Wizards. Brown averaged 7.8 points and 5.6 rebounds his first three seasons and clashed with former coach Doug Collins. He also had trouble off the court. He has been arrested and charged with driving 120 mph and driving under the influence. Brown broke his foot in a summer league game last year, showed up at training camp out of shape and played in just 42 games last season, averaging seven points and 4.9 rebounds. He was suspended one game in December for walking away from a huddle after Coach Eddie Jordan criticized his defense, and was suspended for the rest of the playoffs after missing a practice and Game 4 of Washington's second-round series against Chicago, allegedly because of a stomach problem. However, the Lakers see a gifted player with size who still is young enough to develop. "I think the Lakers have a lot to look forward to," Tellem said by phone. "He's a very gifted athlete who I think will fit in incredibly well here." The deal would give Jackson and the Lakers another young big man. LA selected 7-footer Andrew Bynum, who at 17 is the youngest player ever taken in the NBA draft. Chris Mihm, last season's starting center, is just 25. Tellem said Brown met with Jackson in Los Angeles last week and the two spoke on the phone this week. It's likely that Jackson also spoke with Michael Jordan, his former star and close friend, about Brown. Brown is expected to sign a three-year contract (two years guaranteed) worth $16 million when the NBA lifts its moratorium on signings July 22. The deal works financially because Butler, whom the Wizards wanted after guard Larry Hughes opted for Cleveland as a free agent, makes $2.4 million and Atkins makes $4.5 million. Butler (15.5 points per game) and Atkins (13.6) were the Lakers' second- and fourth-leading scorers last season, their first in LA. But Butler wasn't expected to start next season -- with the addition of Brown, Lamar Odom will likely fill Butler's spot at small forward. Neither was Atkins, who had been a backup with Detroit and Orlando before starting every game last season. The Lakers could look to fill Atkins' spot at guard with a free agent. They've talked with veteran Antonio Daniels, who was a backup in Seattle last season. Daniels, who is 6-foot-4, is a good defender. </div> Source
Great trade for both teams. People forget brown avg 11 ppg and led the team in rebounding in 2003-2004. He was ready to have a breakout season this year before breaking his foot and he never recovered.
