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Los Angeles Lakers Cut Jabari Brown

By Jackson Sanders

Apr 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jabari Brown (15) drives against Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) in the second half during the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jabari Brown (15) drives against Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) in the second half during the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Los Angeles Lakers‘ regular season roster is set, as they have waived guard Jabari Brown. The move leaves the team with 15 players, the maximum amount allowed for the regular season.

Brown averaged six points on 37.5-percent shooting for the Lakers this preseason. He appeared in six games, playing only 14.3 minutes per contest.

Early in the preseason, Brown suffered a minor hand injury, but it did not cause him to miss any games. In the two preseason games he did not participate in, Brown received a DNP-Coach’s Decision.

The move ensures that fan-favorite Metta World Peace will begin the regular season on the roster. World Peace, who won a championship as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2010, was said to be on the roster bubble entering the weekend.

Metta World Peace offers more off-the-court value than what he could bring to the Lakers as a player. He has been serving as a mentor to Julius Randle, and the front office clearly valued the influence he has already had on their franchise centerpiece.

The odds may have turned against Jabari Brown and his chances of making the roster when the Lakers signed Lou Williams and opted not to trade Nick Young this offseason. Both players bring similar skill sets (scoring guard) to the table as Brown, but his relative inexperience and non-guaranteed contract made him expendable.

Looking forward, it is possible that the D-Fenders — the Los Angeles Lakers D-League affiliate — may be a landing spot for the Missouri product. Brown played there last season before being called up to the Lakers, where he appeared in 19 games to end the season.

However, the D-Fenders may have some competition; Brown was the D-League’s leading scorer last season (24.4 points per game), and could be picked up by a number of NBA teams with open roster spots that are in need of bench scoring.

Next: NBA Power Rankings: Opening Week

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