Shannon Brown makes it official, will be dunking for the Lakers

We said it was coming last night and now it’s official -- Shannon Brown will stay a Laker.

Brown will sign a two-year deal with the Lakers, the first year for $2.2 million and the second a player option for $2.4 million, according to Chris Tomasson at FanHouse, who spoke with Brown’s agent Mark Bartelstein.

Brown opted out of a $2.1 million deal for next year, but could not get more out of the Lakers. He could get a little more, $2.7 million, out of the Knicks and that would have come with more minutes and a much larger role on the team, maybe even starting. In Los Angeles, Brown got 20 minutes a game playing behind Kobe, something that likely would continue.

But the Lakers have the rings.

“The lure of the Lakers was too great,’' said Bartelstein, whose client had been looked at strongly by New York. “He didn’t want to look back and not have the chance to go for a third straight championship.’'

This is a good signing for a Lakers team that is talented but getting older, and is not as athletic as some of its main competition. Brown certainly brings youth and athleticism, plus a few high-flying dunks back to Los Angeles.