Undrafted rookie Jabari Brown was signed to a 10-day contract on March 10 on a call-up from the team’s development affiliate, the Los Angeles D-Fenders, where he was collecting a league-high 24.4 points per game.
After Thursday’s game against the Utah Jazz, Lakers beat reporter Mike Trudell tweeted that the 22-year-old’s hopes will come true:
Over four games with the parent team, the shooting guard is averaging seven points and 1.25 rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench.
The numbers are solid enough for a player in his specific role, but it’s the effort that’s drawing attention and praise.
“He is one of those guys next year who will belong in this league,” said Lakers coach Byron Scott, per Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News. “He guards people and is a tough kid. Offensively, he takes what you give him. He makes good decisions too, which is important. So I think he has a place in this league.”
Scott added another note of confidence on Thursday, according to Medina: “Right now, I’d like to keep him for another 10 days and see how it goes. I think he’s improved from what we had in the summertime to this time right now.”
There really is no shortage of praise from Scott. Per Serena Winters of Lakers Nation:
But for the 6’5” wing who grew up in Oakland, California, the focus is now, not next year. Living in the present also includes the champagne perks of playing in the NBA—a far cry from minor league barnstorming on a beer budget.
Brown’s first 10-day contract of $29,843 with the Lakers is more than twice the standard D-League rookie salary of $13,000 for an entire season.
After a second 10-d...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
