L.A. Lakers: Where Will Shannon Brown End Up?

The LA Lakers will be dealing with all kinds of roster turnover as soon as the lockout ends, and one of them is key guard Shannon Brown.

He was an essential part of the Lakers bench, averaging 8.7 points a game on a mere 19 minutes of playing time.

Now, just hours before the lockout officially goes into effect, Brown has decided to opt out of the final year of his contract and enter the cold and lonely world of free agency.

Brown told reporters it was the best decision for himself:

"

We made the best decision for me and everybody around me. It's an interesting time to do this because of the lockout, but I think this is the best thing for me to do right now.

I haven't ruled out the Lakers; I don't know if they will rule me out. I'm staying open.

"

Now let's take a look at five jerseys he will potentially be wearing whenever the 2011-2012 season gets underway.

5. Miami Heat

The Miami Heat are going to be involved in any free agent rumors involving a bench player that won't break the bank.

Brown can come off the pine and provide a spark that players like Eddie House just couldn't do this past season.

He is a 35 percent shooter from beyond the arc, and that clip will surely go up with all of the wide-open looks Brown will surely receive.

The egos of the Big Three won't phase Brown, considering he has played with Kobe Bryant for the last three seasons. He brings championship experience and a personality that should fit in well with the Heat.

Depending on if the price is right...this would be a great match.

4. New York Knicks

The New York Knicks are an uptempo team that is among the highest scoring teams in the NBA.

Adding a guy like Brown would be a great fit.

He was the king of the fastbreak in LA with plenty of breakaway dunks that made the highlight reels. Brown runs up and down the floor in a fifth gear that few other players in the league can keep up with.

Brown would have the opportunity to play a lot more and will able to average at least 10 a game, which makes this destination extremely appealing for the 25-year-old. 

Factor in that Brown is used to all of the glam and glitz of a huge market, and he would fit right in with the biggest city in the world.

3. LA Lakers

Brown is gong to want more money and more playing time if he plans on returning to LA.

The Lakers may not want to shell out the dough, but the new Brown needs him.

That new Brown—head coach Mike Brown—will be installing a new offensive system that caters to his talents much better than the triangle.

Coach Brown is attempting to establish an offense that comes starts in the first three to four seconds of the shot clock.

Assuming the Lakers buy into the new defensive system that will cause plenty of turnovers, Brown is one of the team's most reliable finishers on fast breaks.

The grass isn't always greener on the other side, and sticking with the Lakers may end up paying off big time for both parties.

2. San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs are in the market for a two-guard now that they shipped George Hill to the Indiana Pacers. He may only be 25, but Brown has already logged five seasons in the league and has an NBA Championship as well.

As Tim Duncan's NBA clock continues to tick away, he wants management to bring in players that are ready to contribute heavily now.

The Spurs are more of a halfcourt team, but adding Brown would allow Parker to push the fastbreak more and cater to the skills of Brown, while taking the pressure off of Duncan and Manu Ginobili to labor up and down the floor.

Playing on a team like the Spurs would also improve an attitude that, quite frankly, needs to improve. Going to a veteran laden bunch like San Antonio would do wonders for the long-term effects of the 25-year-old's career.

For the short term, he can be a key contributor to a championship contender.

1. Detroit Pistons

Not every team can make the playoffs, right?

With the new ownership underway in Detroit, GM Joe Dumars can finally make changes to his roster after two years of sitting on his hands.

Odds are, Rodney Stuckey is going to be gone, and the Pistons could use a player that runs the break with new point guard Brandon Knight.

What about Ben Gordon?

This underachiever is on the trading block, and the Pistons will be looking to get rid of him ASAP once the lockout ends.

Even if they can't unload him, a three guard offense with Brown, Knight and Gordon would be high scoring and would bring some much needed excitement to a stale franchise.

Brown can get paid handsomely in Detroit and will log over 30 minutes a game...can't pass that up.