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Los Angeles Lakers: It’s All About Jabari Brown

By Jackson Sanders

April 12, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jabari Brown (15) moves to the basket against the defense of Dallas Mavericks center Bernard James (55) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 12, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jabari Brown (15) moves to the basket against the defense of Dallas Mavericks center Bernard James (55) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jabari Brown, an undrafted rookie, may just become one of the biggest pieces to the Los Angeles Lakers‘ summer plans.

Earlier this month, the team signed Jabari Brown for next season. He will play for a minimum contract, which for him means under $1 million. He’ll fill a roster spot at a value, making it easier to sign more big name free agents that will command much higher salary this summer.

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Of course, that’s only the financial impact that finding a player like Jabari Brown has for the Lakers.

Above all else, he’s proven that he can play in his short time with the team. His shooting numbers were terrible from the field overall on Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks, but he found a way to get to the line nine times, and ultimately ended up with 18 points. On the year, he’s shooting a poor 42.1 percent from the field and 36 percent from the three-point line.

There’s reason to believe that those numbers will improve as a full-fledged member of the organization this offseason. After all, he joined the team with three-fourths of the season already in the books; a tough situation for any player, let alone an undrafted rookie.

Besides the adjustment period, Brown’s numbers in college were quite good when it came to his efficiency. His last year at Missouri, he shot 51.3 percent from the field and 41 percent from the three-point line. He also made his way to the free-throw line 7.6 times per contest.

There’s clearly a reason he was not the most highly sought after player in the draft. He has defensive issues, and even watching him on the Lakers it’s clear that he doesn’t always get his work in the flow of the offense. As a prospect that projects as a career role player at best, those issues are enough to push him off their second-round draft board in favor of a higher-upside talent.

But Jabari Brown has proven in his time with the Lakers that he can score. And, to be frank, that’s really all they need from him next season.

In his last two games, he’s had 20 points and 18 points. He worked his way to the line 21 times in those two contests, and will have two more games as the starter to prove that he’s on track to be a contributor next season for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Given his track record as a three-point shooter, it’s conceivable that he could become a three-point specialist for the team next year. That alone would be a great value given his contract status for the 2015-16 season. He will join Tarik Black and Jordan Clarkson as the players on the Lakers roster that will be making the minimum next season.

With the addition of some key free agents, a healthy Julius Randle, and top-five selection in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers could be equipped to finally trend upward in the standings next season.

Jabari Brown could be a big part of this process. As long as he continues to improve, and can build on the momentum he’s bringing to the table in the final two games of the Los Angeles Lakers’ season.

Next: Our Latest NBA Mock Draft

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