Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Kwame is the Wrong Way
()
It's been reported that the Lakers are interested in acquiring Kwame Brown from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Caron Butler, another player, and possibly a draft pick. Say what?LAist has trouble believing this is for real. We have no problems with the Lakers trading Caron Butler. He's a one-dimensional scorer with little interest in defending, plays a position where the Lakers are stocked, and he's LA's most tradable commodity because his salary is low. We get that. We're also fine with the Lakers adding in a Chucky Atkins or a Devean George to match salaries in a trade. And we'd love to see the Lakers add a decent big man.
But Kwame Brown?
No number-one overall draft pick has ever accomplished less in the NBA than Kwame Brown. For every Kobe Bryant or Kevin Garnett that succeeds in making the high school-to-the-NBA jump, there's a Kwame Brown or Jonathan Bender who bombs out and gives them a bad reputation.
Support for LAist comes from
The Wizards reportedly have given Brown a $6.9 million offer sheet as a starting ponit to help facilitate a sign-and-trade deal. What on earth has Kwame Brown done in the NBA to deserve almost $7 million?
During the playoffs, Brown was suspended seven games by his own team for pouting over decreased playing time, missing a practice, and claiming some kind of stomach illness. He has some injury history, and he's been out-of-shape at times. In 2002 he was charged with driving 120 MPH, and later that year was arrested for DUI.
Last year he averaged seven points and less than five rebounds a game, in his fourth season.
And teams are dumb enough to give this guy $7 million a year? It's times like these when NBA owners have to look in the mirror and think before writing huge paychecks. You can't just pay someone on talent alone.
Trading for Kwame Brown is a huge risk for the Lakers. Maybe he'll turn out like Jermaine O'Neal or Tracy McGrady, high school prodigies who realized their potential on their second NBA teams. But that's really wishful thinking. Reportedly, Brown's demand for a third guaranteed year (as if he deserves more than three guaranteed minutes), is holding up the deal. Let's hope it does.
UPDATE
So the trade has now become a reality. The Lakers will send Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins to Washington for Kwame Brown. As we've said before, Butler and Atkins are tradable commodities, who weren't particularly valuable this year. Butler is one-dimensional, and Atkins is undersized and constantly chucks up threes. But acquiring Brown seems insane. We haven't seen any indication that he'll come through and ever be a decent NBA forward, let alone the all-star he was once expected to be.
Ten years from now, when we go back and evaluate Mitch Kupchak's tenure with the Lakers, this is one trade that we'll measure him by. This is his ballsiest trade ever.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars. -
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
Best of LAist