One of the fringe players around the Lakers the last two-plus seasons has found a new home. According to international basketball reporter David Pick, Jabari Brown, who played 19 games in LA in the 2014-15 seasons, is taking his talents to Europe:
Source: Lakers guard Jabari Brown is negotiating a $600-plus thousand deal with Euroleague club Anadolu Efes.
— David Pick (@IAmDPick) August 3, 2016
Anadolu Efes is one of the powerhouse franchises in Turkey. Brown will be the next in a line of several NBA players to have played for the team including former Lakers guard Jordan Farmar.
Brown’s decision to go to Europe makes sense. He could have garnered another deal in the NBA D-League, perhaps with the Lakers’ affiliate, the D-Fenders. However, at nearly 24 years old, it’s hard to see the D-League as a stepping stool to the NBA for Brown, anymore.
Combine that with the fact that he will make more than $500,000 more than he would with the D-League’s comically low wages and the decision is a smart one.
Brown’s penchant for scoring could make him a star in Europe. Perhaps he will grow other aspects of his game in order to make a late run at the NBA once again. But even if he doesn’t, he’s found a pretty good career in Europe.
