Pistons, Lorenzo Brown agree to 1-year contract

Shams Charania of RealGM tweeted last night that Lorenzo Brown and the Pistons agreed to a one-year deal.

Brown is a 6'5 point guard who was drafted with the 52nd pick in 2013 by the Minnesota Timberwolves but waived before the season.

He later signed on with the Springfield Armor of the D-League, but built his contract so that he could sign on with any interested NBA teams. Turns out that the 76ers were interested in making him one of the 23 players who would see time for them last season, and he signed on with the team on an unguaranteed deal.

Brown was assigned and recalled between Philadelphia and their D-League affiliate the Delaware 87ers 12 times last season. He spent 224 minutes over his head with the 76ers, but shined in the D-League averaging 20 points per game, 7 assists, and 1.7 steals for the 87ers.

Philadelphia waived Brown on March 14, and he finished the year off with the D-League team he originally signed on with, the Armor.

Over the summer Brown signed with Italian team Reyer Venezia, but the contract was voided reportedly due to a failed physical - though the reason for the failed physical hasn't been reported.

The plan for the Brown is likely similar to what we saw earlier this summer with former Piston Peyton Siva when he signed with the Orlando Magic. Siva was signed to a non-guaranteed contract to participate in training camp and the preseason, with the plan of then waiving and assigning him to the D-League.

This Pistons just established their own D-League team over the summer, the Grand Rapids Drive. With five point guards now on the roster and 16 contracts guaranteed, Brown will presumably be holding down the point guard spot for the Drive's inaugural season.

At 24 years old, Brown is relatively old for his experience level, which is likely part of the reason he's had trouble catching on as a prospect.

He's an intriguing player though, thanks to his great size for his position and his excellent point guard skills. Over his final two years at North Carolina State, he averaged nearly 7 assists per game and an assist rate over 35 percent.

H/t to DBBer TDP for posting it in the comments.