Unfortunately for the Lake Show, adding additional role players like Shannon Brown to the mix at the last minute won't improve their title chances.
The latest gossip from the rumor mill links L.A. with Brown, who was recently traded from Phoenix to Washington and is now expected to be waived by the Wizards, according to NBA.com's David Aldridge per Hoopsworld's Steve Kyler via Twitter:
Next stop, L.A.?
Brown, who averages 8.1 points per game on 42 percent shooting from the field for his seven-year NBA career, averaged 8.7 points per game off the bench in his most recent season with the Lakers, but saw his minutes decrease in the postseason as he struggled to hit from beyond the arc.
While the 27-year-old can certainly still contribute for an NBA team, the Lakers already possess a handful of options at guard, including another returning member of their recent championship teams in Jordan Farmar. L.A. would have to make room for Brown, and though it sounds harsh, his production doesn't warrant it.
Sure, Brown can play a role for the Lakers, add even more depth to the backcourt and score points in Mike D'Antoni's uptempo offense. However, he isn't a major step up in quality, and L.A. already has quantity at guard.
The Lakers have Steve Nash, Steve Blake and Farmar at point guard and Kobe Bryant, Xavier Henry, Jodie Meeks and Nick Young (who could see significant time at small forward in D'Antoni's small-ball lineup) at shooting guard.
Brown's 2012-13 player efficiency rating (PER) of 13.1 wouldn't be a significant upgrade over players like Blake and Meeks, who posted an average PER of 11.6 last season. Plus, those two gua...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
