Three years ago, P.J. Brown declined a multiyear offer from the San Antonio Spurs to stay home to play for the New Orleans Hornets.
At the time, Brown said he would stay in his native Louisiana for the rest of his life. It gave him peace of mind, he said.
His life went according to plan for the first two years of the contract before going haywire.
“Things out of my control changed the landscape,” Brown said Wednesday.
The latest twist brings Brown, 36, to the Bulls. He and J.R. Smith were acquired from the Hornets in exchange for Tyson Chandler.
Smith will be traded, probably Thursday, to the Nuggets for Howard Eisley. The Bulls plan to waive Eisley to free up funds to sign Adrian Griffin, who has agreed to a three-year deal.
Brown is a tough defensive player who is respected across the league for being a consummate professional.
The Bulls want the 6-foot-11-inch forward/center for his leadership, experience and his expiring contract that will give the organization financial flexibility next year.
Going into his 14th NBA season, his 15th as a professional, Brown is viewed as an ideal mentor for Tyrus Thomas, the rookie from Louisiana State. Thomas and Brown met on a basketball court in New Orleans a few years ago.
“I’m going to give him everything I know,” Brown said.
As of early Wednesday night, Brown had not met with Bulls coach Scott Skiles to discuss his role for the upcoming season. His size is vital because no other player in the normal rotation is taller than Brown.
Skiles is known for mixing lineups, and Andres Nocioni will compete for playing time at both forward positions. Brown will have to fight for a starting job and could play off the bench for the first time in his career.
“At this stage of my career, I just want to win,” he said.
Between his age–he will be 37 on Oct. 14–and declining statistics, Brown is facing questions about retirement. He averaged 9.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game last season, and the scoring average was his lowest since 2002
“Physically, I feel like I could go until I’m 40,” he said. “It’s going to be more mental.”
His future could hinge on how long Brown wants to be away from his home in Slidell, La. He and Chris Duhon, a third-year Bull, share the same hometown.
Last summer Hurricane Katrina forced Brown to flee his home, which was ruined. Initially, he evacuated with his family to Lafayette, La., and then moved to Humble, Texas, where his children were enrolled in school.
Brown and his Hornets teammates eventually relocated to Oklahoma City, but Brown and his wife, Dee, didn’t want to uproot their three daughters and son abruptly so soon after losing their home.
For the third time in less than a year, Brown is looking for a place to live. He spent Wednesday house-hunting with his wife after undergoing a required physical exam.
“Last year was tough,” Brown said. “It has been tough on me and my wife and even tougher for our kids.”
This time, however, they all will be together.
“Because of everything that happened in that year, this is a welcome change–something I’m looking forward to,” Brown said.
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mxgarcia@tribune.com
