By Paul Levine Jul 14, 2005, 20:33 GMT
Los Angeles - In an effort to retool their roster with more inside muscle, the Los Angeles Lakers agreed on Thursday to acquire underachieving centre Kwame Brown from the Washington Wizards in exchange for small forward Caron Butler and either Chucky Atkins or Devean George, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Though Laker general manager Mitch Kupchak and Wizard president Ernie Grunfeld refused to comment, sources told the newspaper the deal was in place involving the two main components in Brown and Butler. Brown would reportedly receive a two-year deal, including a team option for a third year.
The trade cannot become official, however, until the moratorium on free agent signings or sign-and-trade transactions is lifted on July 22.
Brown was the first high school player to be taken with the top draft pick in 2001, but the 2.3 metre tall (6-foot-11 inches) man has not lived up to the billing.
His first two seasons were lackluster and he had run-ins with aging superstar Michael Jordan and former Wizards coach Doug Collins over unfulfilled expectations.
Brown showed traces of becoming an impact player in his third season, averaging a career-best 10.9 points and 7.4 rebounds, but couldn't sustain it.
Last season, the out-of-shape Brown averaged just 7.0 points and 4.9 rebounds in just 42 games, after starting on the injured list with a broken right foot. He was suspended for seven games during the playoffs for complaining about his diminished playing time.
The Wizards, meanwhile, have an immediate need for Butler in the backcourt as a scorer, after losing unrestricted free-agent guard Larry Hughes to the Cleveland Cavaliers last week.
One of three players acquired from Miami for Shaquille O'Neal last summer, Butler proved to be the most consistent of the Lakers behind Kobe Bryant, averaging 21.9 points over his last 15 games.
Moving Butler would also clear out a logjam of small forwards for the Lakers, who have George, along with Jumaine Jones and Luke Walton. The seldom-used Walton, who averaged just 3.2 points last season, agreed on a two-year contract Wednesday to remain with the club.
Atkins could also help the Wizards in the back court. The 30-year-old point guard averaged a career-best 13.6 points while running the offence.
Your Talkback on this Story