Brown Needs Growth Spurt

Four turbulent seasons with the Washington Wizards were discarded in a matter of minutes, at least temporarily, as Kwame Brown clutched a new Laker jersey, smiled for the assembled media and pledged to deliver the opposite of the unfulfilled promise that had accompanied him since being the top pick in the 2001 draft.

The latest example of owner Jerry Buss’ high-risk, high-reward strategy, Brown was introduced Wednesday as the Lakers’ newest post player at the team’s El Segundo facility.

Brown, 23, was acquired with swingman Laron Profit for Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins in a trade finalized three weeks ago but formally announced this week.

Brown, who rebelled against Michael Jordan’s severe demands as a rookie and was suspended for insubordination during last season’s playoffs, acknowledged the need for a climate change and understood the concept of a second chance.

“I just thank God that I’m out of Washington and looking forward to getting here and turning things around for myself and my family,” he said. “This is the Lakers. This is the biggest stage. You turn it around here, you get this city behind you, and everybody’s behind you.”

Enigmatic and erratic as a pro, Brown has career averages of 7.7 points and 5.5 rebounds but he has also offered pockets of promise, following up a 30-point, 19-rebound effort against the Sacramento Kings with a 27-point, 11-rebound game against the Atlanta Hawks in March 2004.

The Lakers, tilting toward optimism, hope for more of the latter.

“You don’t get the opportunity to get many players with his God-given talent,” General Manager Mitch Kupchak said. “It just doesn’t come around very often.

“One thing we do know, big players develop later. They just do. You see the most growth in a big player between the ages of 25 and 27. And he’s only 23.”

Brown, 7 feet and about 270 pounds, signed a two-year, $15-million contract with a third non-guaranteed year of about $9 million. He considers himself more of a power forward, although he said he was comfortable getting minutes at center.

Playing time was one of the reasons for his departure from the Wizards.

He was suspended last season for seven playoff games because he had groused as his minutes dwindled, claiming a stomach illness and missing a practice and a game during the Wizards’ first-round series against the Chicago Bulls.

Brown was also suspended last December for a game because he reportedly left the huddle during a timeout as Wizard Coach Eddie Jordan questioned his breakdown on a defensive assignment.

Kupchak was satisfied with Brown’s demeanor during a mid-July meeting at the Lakers’ facility.

“I think there have been signs,” Kupchak said. “I don’t think one day you’re not mature and then the next day you are. It’s a process. His growth process will continue.”

In his first two seasons, Brown clashed with Jordan and former Wizard coach Doug Collins, who took turns poking and prodding the former teenage prodigy.

He showed hints of improvement in his third season, averaging a career-best 10.9 points and 7.4 rebounds, but broke his right foot during a pickup game last summer. He started last season on the injured list and was out of shape almost the rest of the way, averaging seven points and 4.9 rebounds in only 42 games. He was booed at home numerous times.

Off the court, he was arrested in 2002 for driving 120 mph and again in 2003 for driving under the influence.

“There were situations I could have handled a little more professionally that I didn’t and that I learned from,” Brown said. “I was taught how to be a man in Washington. I came there a boy and I left a man.”

Brown will be working under someone else who got a second chance of sorts.

“Phil [Jackson] has a way of getting through to players,” Kupchak said. “I felt during the initial meeting a month ago that there was a certain magnetic bond between these two people.”

Brown will have jersey No. 54, most recently worn by Horace Grant.