The Lakers Turned Radmanović into Two Young Wings
On February 7, 2009, the Lakers traded forward Vladimir Radmanović to Charlotte for Adam Morrison and Shannon Brown. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak explained that Radmanović had slipped behind Trevor Ariza and Luke Walton in the team’s forward rotation and carried a relatively expensive contract. Morrison had struggled to meet expectations attached to his 2006 No. 3 selection, while Brown offered defense and athleticism on the perimeter. Los Angeles sought cheaper roster flexibility and a different kind of wing depth before the postseason. Charlotte gained an experienced forward capable of shooting from distance and filling reserve minutes. There were no draft picks in the agreement, so the value on both sides comes from the players and salary situation rather than an invented future draft asset.
Brown Became a Regular on Two Lakers Championship Teams
Brown played 18 Lakers games in the remainder of 2008-09, then became a much larger contributor. He appeared in all 82 regular-season games in 2009-10, averaging 8.1 points in 20.7 minutes, and played in every game again during 2010-11. His athletic defense and ability to provide a fast break spark helped Los Angeles’ guard rotation as the club won consecutive NBA championships in 2009 and 2010. Morrison remained a deeper bench option and did not become the leading scorer once projected at Gonzaga. Still, the Lakers’ B grade rests on genuine Brown minutes, postseason utility and the different contract profile obtained for Radmanović. Brown’s later Phoenix and other franchise seasons cannot be added to the Lakers’ direct return, though his two title years clearly belong here.
Radmanović Provided Charlotte Shooting Without a Major Breakthrough
Radmanović gave the Bobcats another experienced forward in their attempts to build a more competitive lineup around Gerald Wallace, Boris Diaw and Raymond Felton. He could space the floor and cover minutes at both forward positions, but did not become Charlotte’s leading scorer or provide the enduring guard impact Brown ultimately offered Los Angeles. Charlotte’s C+ inherited grade recognizes roster utility while discounting the cost and limited ceiling of the incoming player. The transaction also had a financial angle: removing a longer contract was a stated Lakers motivation, not a claim that Brown alone had been expected to be a future star on the day of the trade. From a hindsight perspective, Los Angeles obtained the more meaningful on-court contribution to championship seasons.
Final Verdict
Lakers Win. Los Angeles earns B for Adam Morrison and especially Shannon Brown, who appeared in all 82 games in 2009-10 while averaging 8.1 points on a second straight championship team. Charlotte receives C+ for Vladimir Radmanović, who offered veteran forward shooting but not a comparable postseason contribution.