Shannon Brown is returning to the Los Angeles Lakers, turning down more lucrative offers for a shot at a third straight championship.

Brown’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, told The Associated Press on Thursday that the high-flying free agent guard agreed to a two-year deal worth $4.6 million to return for his third season with Los Angeles.

“He’s been there two years, and they’ve won two championships,” Bartelstein said. “There’s very few times you have a chance to go for a threepeat. When you have that opportunity, he couldn’t pass it up.”

Bummer. This would have been a good pickup. Anyway - time to focus on the J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets

The Los Angeles Lakers have made it clear that re-signing Shannon Brown is their top priority. He has an excellent relationship with Kobe Bryant, was a significant contributor during their title runs, and would be one of the few returning faces on the team's revamped second unit. 

But because they're not the only team that covets Brown, the Lakers have been in contact with several available guards in case they need to replace his services. While they remain optimistic that the guard will choose to return to Los Angeles, there are several factors making his decision a difficult one.

The New York Knicks are trying to pry Brown away from the Lakers and they have put together an offer that will likely get his attention. While he is happy with the situation in Los Angeles, the Knicks can provide Brown with more playing time, a bigger contract, and a system that he could thrive in due to his style of play.

According to one source, New York is prepared to open up their wallet for Brown, offering a multi-year contract that would end up paying him roughly $4 million per season. The Knicks are willing to spend this money because they envision an increased role for Brown in New York playing under Mike D'Antoni. Joining Amar'e Stoudemire, Raymond Felton, Anthony Randolph, and Danilo Gallinari as part of the team's core, Brown would be able to receive his big payday and see consistent, predictable minutes for the first time in his career.

By offering the two things that the Lakers cannot, money and minutes, the Knicks are making Brown evaluate his priorities.

Is he willing to sacrifice those things to play for one of the best teams in the league or is he looking for the chance to contribute more and find stability on an up-and-coming team?

After winning two rings as a role player, some feel that Brown wants to step up and see what he can do outside of the supporting cast role. Many players turn down less money to join the Lakers' second unit, as we've witnessed several times this summer, but it's often to win a ring or gain exposure. Brown has done both during his time in Los Angeles and that's why some feel he's ready to move onto new things.

Brown will be forced to decide what he wants out of these next several years and which destination is better for his future. Both sides can offer different things and at the end of the day, he'll have to choose which situation is best for him.

I like this move. While I think it is unlikely that Brown will leave LA (multiple championships, best organization in the league, etc.) this is a good opportunity for him to step up to the next level. And a smart move by Donnie Walsh to get more talent without going the trade route (a la Chris Paul).

On Tuesday, the National Basketball Association sent its teams a delightful common-sense reminder not to tamper with players under contract like the New Orleans superstar Chris Paul, who had been the subject of numerous illicit trade rumors and seductive Tweets from Cleveland ex-pat LeBron James.

The following is the tampering reminder sent to the New York Knicks, who were among the teams reportedly intrigued by Mr. Paul:

1. If Chris Paul sends you flowers, send them back. See if he wants Eddie Curry, too.

2. If Chris Paul sends you Zabar's, send it back. Okay, keep the rugelach. But that's it.

3. If Chris Paul tries to friend you on Facebook, ignore the request.

4. If Chris Paul can get you two tickets to ''Merchant of Venice,'' don't go.

5. If you are introduced Chris Paul at a party, keep mistakenly referring to him as Ron Paul.

6. If Chris Paul asks to see the top of the Empire State Building, show him the roof of Gray's Papaya instead.

7. If Chris Paul wants to pitch the 8th inning for the Yankees instead of Joba, deny him. Actually, you know what? Let him.

8. If you see Chris Paul walking down the street toward you, immediately hold your phone to your ear and begin having a very loud, animated pretend conversation about your head lice. Or the Mets.

9. If Chris Paul asks for the name of a good Italian restaurant in New York, start laughing uproariously, and tell him there are no Italian restaurants in New York, and never have been.

10. If Chris Paul asks for the time, just tell him it's "Time to Bring in Bobby Valentine."

11. If Chris Paul asks to meet the two biggest celebrities in New York, bring him Ernie Anastos and Dr. Zizmor.

12. If Chris Paul moves into your apartment building, regularly steal his copies of Free Agent Point Guard and The New Yorker in the vestibule.

13. If you meet a person who is very ill, and their last wish is to meet Chris Paul, be respectful, but secretly try to get them excited about Amare Stoudemire.

14. If Chris Paul says he can explain 'Inception,' ignore him. Okay, listen for a minute and see if he's figured it out.

15. If Chris Paul comes up to you and whispers that he really, really wants to come to play for the Knicks, just walk away. But first, sneak him the rugelach.

It was a wedding toast heard from Broadway to Bourbon Street.

During Carmelo Anthony's wedding Saturday night at Cipriani's on 42nd Street, Chris Paul, the superstar New Orleans point guard, predicted a future Knicks Dream Team.

Take that, LeCon.

According to a person who spoke with wedding attendee Amar'e Stoudemire, Paul made the reference during a speech of a potential union of himself, Stoudemire and Anthony, saying, "We'll form our own Big 3," Paul allegedly said.

The game ain't over yet. Still 1 or 2 more years left in the Donnie Walsh plan. The Dream Lives On.

Everybody Loves Raymond in the Knicks’ front office.

The clutch signing of point guard Raymond Felton to a two-year deal puts the Knicks in position to earn an eighth seed in the playoffs and a possible first-round matchup with LeBron James’ Miami Dream Team.

But Felton’s short-term contract also has allowed the Knicks to develop a new master plan and dream bigger.

The Knicks now can chase superstars who actually want to play in New York: Carmelo Anthony in 2011 and point guards Chris Paul or Deron Williams in 2012.

As I have said before, this was not just about LeBum. Donnie Walsh has done a masterful job at opening up enough salary cap space for a 2-3 year run in the free agent market. I love the Man with The Plan.

LeBron James has rented six cabanas at the W Hotel South Beach this weekend to celebrate his team decision, two sources confirm to UsMagazine.com.

If this is true then the dream is over.

An NBA player may have let the cat out of the bag by telling TMZ that LeBron James will join the New York Knicks.

I guess we will find out tomorrow at 9 pm.

Joe Johnson is "intrigued" by the idea of playing for the Bulls or Knicks, but he would have to accept over $25 million less or engineer a sign-and-trade with the Hawks.

Atlanta has offered him a lucrative six-year max deal, but JJ doesn't seem to be in any rush. He could team up with Amare Stoudemire in New York, or any combination of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh in Chicago. The Hawks have been patient thus far, "but at some piont the team will need an answer so it can pursue a viable replacement," according to CBSSports.com.

The game ain't over yet. Joe Johnson plus Stoudemire this year. Chris Paul or 'Melo next year. Still not a bad scenario