Shannon Brown informed the team Thursday that he was exercising his option to terminate the final year of his contract to become an unrestricted free agent.

Brown and his agent, Mark Bartelstein, said this was the best time for the 6-foot-4 guard to test the free-agent market, even though the NBA is about to impose a lockout and no one knows what the future collective bargaining agreement will be.

Brown had to let the Lakers know of his decision by Thursday's deadline.

"We made the best decision for me and everybody around me," Brown said in a telephone interview. "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."

The Los Angeles Lakers have hired John Kuester to serve as an assistant coach, it was announced today by Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

“I’m extremely excited to have John join the team as a member of my coaching staff,” said Lakers Head Coach Mike Brown. “Having previously worked together in Cleveland, I know what assets he will bring to the team. His ability to effectively communicate with the players while teaching them valuable skills on both ends of the court is a quality that I respect and value. I look forward to working with him again.”

Kuester joins the Lakers after a two-year stint as head coach for the Detroit Pistons. Prior to his time in Detroit, Kuester spent 14 years as an assistant coach in the NBA, working for six different franchises (Boston, Philadelphia, Detroit, New Jersey, Orlando and Cleveland).

“I’m extremely excited to be working with Mike Brown, as well as to have the opportunity to work with the Lakers, one of the premier organizations in the NBA,” said Kuester.

"I'm more than OK with it," Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike Brown said of Kobe Bryant's near month-long silence since Brown was hired in late May.

Although Bryant has not let his opinion of Brown be known through the media yet, the new coach and the 15-year veteran have already had several phone calls and two face-to-face meetings together.

"I felt good about it," Brown said of his second meeting with Bryant at the Lakers' practice facility several weeks ago when the pair went over Brown's coaching philosophies on the court. "From my perspective [it went well]. ... We talked a little offense, talked a little defense, we talked about each other's families. ... Just basic stuff."

Ron Artest has filed a petition to legally change his name to Metta World Peace.

Requests for a name change are typically granted in most cases.

Artest would put his new last name on the back of his jersey.

The Lakers and 76ers have held discussions involving a swap of Andre Iguodala for Lamar Odom, according to league sources.

The deal would save Philadelphia a significant amount of money, as Odom is entering the final season of his contract while Iguodala is owed a combined $44 million over the next three seasons.

The Lakers would have to include more salary in order for the deal to consummated.

The Lakers offered Lamar Odom to the Timberwolves in exchange for the No. 2 overall pick, according to two sources.

But Minnesota rejected the offer.

The Lakers wanted to use the selection on Derrick Williams.

Talks have broken down as Minnesota continues to insist upon either Andrew Bynum or Pau Gasol.

Lakers forward Matt Barnes exercised his option to extend his contract for the 2011-12 season, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

Barnes, signed by the Lakers as a free agent on July 22, 2010, averaged 6.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 19.2 minutes over 53 games last season.

The Wolves made an offer of the number two overall pick to the Lakers for Andrew Bynum, according to a source.

Minnesota has been actively shopping the number two pick in hopes of acquiring a proven veteran.

Both the Lakers and Kings have interest in trading with the Nuggets for Raymond Felton.

Felton was acquired by Denver in the Carmelo Anthony trade, but is considered less valuable to the team than Ty Lawson.

Felton will be a free agent after the 11-12 season.

Pau Gasol, who has been linked to a move to the Minnesota Timberwolves, said Monday he wants to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers for "as many years as I can."

The Timberwolves have reportedly been strongly pursuing Gasol to pair with Barcelona guard Ricky Rubio, who will play for the NBA side next season.

"My desire is to stay with the Lakers. I don't have control over it but I want to stay with the Lakers for as many years as I can to be able to remain eligible for the maximum possible championships," Gasol told reporters in the northeastern Spanish city of Alicante.