EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Los Angeles Lakers forward Matt Barnes exercised his $1.91 million option to stay with the team next season, he announced Tuesday.

"I'll be a Laker next year," Barnes said. "I always knew what I was going to do."

Barnes made the announcement while talking to reporters at the Lakers training facility after Mike Brown was introduced as the team's new head coach. Barnes, who sat alongside the Buss family in the front row during the press conference, was the only player in attendance.

"He's an open minded coach, which is good," Barnes said. "We have a very veteran-driven team and I'm sure guys will have their opinion on this and that but as long as he listens and decides what's best for the team, I think he'll be great."