Marc Berman just filed this report:
Mark Bartelstein, Brown's agent, told The Post the Lakers guard is "leaning'' toward returning to the Lakers to go for a "three-peat.''
Brown is expected to make his final decision Thursday.
The Knicks, according to a source, offered Brown a one-year contract as they moved to protect their 2011 salary cap for a run at Carmelo Anthony. The Knicks offered Brown the full $2.7 million that they are under the cap. The Lakers have offered the fourth-year guard less per season, but multiple years.
"The Knicks did a great job selling Shannon on everything and their vision for him,'' Bartelstein said. "They did a great job but the chance to go back and win a third championship for the Lakers is a tough thing to pass up. He'll make a final decision (Thursday).''
A few points:
1. Mark Bartelstein! Just when you thought we were done with him. Nice to hear from you, M-Bart.
2. Did we already know that the Knicks were only making a one-year offer? Perhaps I missed that.
3. It stinks to whiff on a free agent target, but as I've said before, I don't think missing out on Brown is much of a loss. He's not exactly a world-beater, and I'm pretty confident that the Knicks can put together a decent backcourt with what they have. If not, there are other fish in the sea, and also other free agents available should the fish prove not to be large or dexterous enough to play professional basketball.