Brown's Difficult Decision: The Los Angeles Lakers have made it clear that re-signing Shannon Brown is their top priority. He has an excellent relationship with Kobe Bryant, was a significant contributor during their title runs, and would be one of the few returning faces on the team's revamped second unit.

But because they're not the only team that covets Brown, the Lakers have been in contact with several available guards in case they need to replace his services. While they remain optimistic that the guard will choose to return to Los Angeles, there are several factors making his decision a difficult one.

The New York Knicks are trying to pry Brown away from the Lakers and they have put together an offer that will likely get his attention. While he is happy with the situation in Los Angeles, the Knicks can provide Brown with more playing time, a bigger contract, and a system that he could thrive in due to his style of play.

According to one source, New York is prepared to open up their wallet for Brown, offering a multi-year contract that would end up paying him roughly $4 million per season. The Knicks are willing to spend this money because they envision an increased role for Brown in New York playing under Mike D'Antoni. Joining Amar'e Stoudemire, Raymond Felton, Anthony Randolph, and Danilo Gallinari as part of the team's core, Brown would be able to receive his big payday and see consistent, predictable minutes for the first time in his career.

By offering the two things that the Lakers cannot, money and minutes, the Knicks are making Brown evaluate his priorities.

Is he willing to sacrifice those things to play for one of the best teams in the league or is he looking for the chance to contribute more and find stability on an up-and-coming team?

After winning two rings as a role player, some feel that Brown wants to step up and see what he can do outside of the supporting cast role. Many players turn down less money to join the Lakers' second unit, as we've witnessed several times this summer, but it's often to win a ring or gain exposure. Brown has done both during his time in Los Angeles and that's why some feel he's ready to move onto new things.

Brown will be forced to decide what he wants out of these next several years and which destination is better for his future. Both sides can offer different things and at the end of the day, he'll have to choose which situation is best for him.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=16966

I am not sure how we can pay him $4 million/season unless he is making much less this season or the Knicks are trading away someone else and not receiving a matching salary in return?

For reference, this is the contract that could be signed if the Knicks cap number is 2.5M, adding in the 8% max raise per year.

Year 1: 2.5 M
Year 2: 2.7 M
Year 3: 2.9 M
Year 4: 3.1 M
Year 5: 3.3 M

Total: 14.5 M

This averages out to 2.9M a year well below the stated 4M average in the article (4-5M stated in his twitter). Got to be a sign and trade if this has any validity. I'm not buying this to be true. Sounds like an agent putting numbers out there to get LA to pony up more $.

Makes me wonder if management doesn't believe Kelenna Azubuike is fully healed from his injury and they weren't too impressed with Bill Walker in SL. You have to assume Brown would only come here if promised to start.

Donnie Walsh put out a clue a couple of weeks ago when someone asked him if he was done adding players this year. Actually, he said, our quality at shooting guard could still be improved. I definitely don't think that he is adding "SG depth" with Shannon Brown. Instead, I think he believes the great fit between Shannon Brown's talents, and the way the Knicks want to play, makes him an excellent candidate to start for the Knicks at shooting guard. The advantage of adding Brown, is that it frees up the Knick's ability to trade Chandler either now or down the road.

How do you feel about trading Wilson, misterearl and others?