The Los Angeles Lakers are “increasingly confident” they can sign combo guard Bruce Brown in free agency, according to NBA insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic.
Brown declined his 2023-24 player option with the Denver Nuggets, so he becomes an unrestricted free agent on June 30.
The Lakers may have to decline shooting guard Malik Beasley’s $16.5 million team option for next season and waive center Mo Bamba’s $10.3 million non-guaranteed salary to sign Brown.
“The Lakers are increasingly confident they can sign Nuggets free-agent wing Bruce Brown Jr. for the non-taxpayer midlevel exception starting at a projected $12.4 million, multiple league sources not authorized to speak publicly on the matter told The Athletic,” Buha wrote.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Bruce Brown, Denver Nuggets & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Lakers have various options to open up cap room, with the most accessible options being to decline Beasley’s $16.5 million team option or waive Bamba’s $10.3 million non-guaranteed contract. The deadline for Los Angeles to make those maneuvers is Thursday.
Brown averaged 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists for the Nuggets in 2022-23 while shooting 48.3% from the field, 35.8% from beyond the arc and 75.8% from the free-throw line. In the 2023 playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Lakers and Miami Heat, Brown put up 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Bruce Brown, Denver Nuggets & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
A Boston native Brown averaged 11.4 points, 4.4 boards and 1.0 assists in the Finals versus the Heat. Denver beat Miami in five games to capture its first title in franchise history.
Brown has career averages of 8.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists with the Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets and Nuggets. He has improved his game every year he’s been in the NBA. It will certainly be fascinating to see if Brown is a member of the Lakers next season and playing with superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
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