The Los Angeles Lakers have officially waived Steve Nash, the team has announced. Nash retired from the NBA approximately 10 days ago, and the Lakers had to waive him to get out of the hardship exception.
In doing so, they have signed rookie Jabari Brown for the remainder of the season, including a non-guaranteed contract for next season.
Brown, 22, played on a pair of 10-day contracts for L.A., which ended on Monday. In 10 games, he averaged 9.4 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists on 50 percent shooting in 24.5 minutes per game off the bench.
He impressed the coaching staff more than enough with his efficient play and non-stop hustle. In Brown’s most recent game, he poured in a career-high 22 points on 7 of 10 shooting to aid the Lakers to victory along with Jordan Clarkson, who was Brown’s teammate in college.
Brown has spent most of the year in the D-League with the Los Angeles D-Fenders. On January 10, 2015, he scored 50 points on 16 of 22 shooting for the D-Fenders to carry them to a 124-99 victory over the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Brown was also a training camp invite for the Lakers this past October, but he did not make the cut. However, he was one of the final cuts the Lakers made right before the regular season.
As the Lakers say their final goodbyes to Steve Nash, the future is set, headlined by Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle. In addition, the Lakers have the possibility of possessing four draft picks in the upcoming draft.