The Indiana Pacers swung big with their cap space in NBA free agency this offseason, landing a key piece from the defending champion Denver Nuggets in the form of Bruce Brown. It was a key move for Indiana, but they were able to make the move despite another team getting the first meeting with Brown to open up free agency. That team, as Brown revealed, was the New York Knicks.
Brown opened about his free agency decision in his introductory press conference with the Pacers. He was asked about other teams that had pursued him and who he met with first. Then, it was revealed that the Knicks had the first shot at him.
Unfortunately for New York, they were unable to get a deal done. However, the Pacers had the second meeting and were able to lock him up for two years with a team option on the second season. Brown did have more meetings scheduled after Indiana, but those meetings never took place.
NBA RUMORS & NEWS: New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, & Bruce Brown Updates
Needless to say, Brown would have been an excellent pickup for the Knicks. He brings elite defense and a hard-nosed play-style to the court. Offensively, he has grown to being a threat over the last couple of years.
During the 2022-23 NBA season with the Nuggets, Brown ended up averaging 11.5 points per game to go along with 4.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.1 steals. He shot 48.3 percent from the floor overall and knocked down 35.8 percent of his three-point attempts.
Those numbers show why both the Knicks and Pacers pursued him so heavily. While New York didn’t get him, they are clearly looking to spend big to build a championship contender. The same could be said for the Pacers, who are a bit farther away from that goal, at least according to last season’s standings.
NBA RUMORS & NEWS: New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, & Bruce Brown Updates
It will be interesting to see how both the Knicks and Pacers look this coming season. Also, it will be interesting to see how Bruce Brown develops his game. Assuming he takes the next step with a bigger role like many are expecting, the Knicks will be even more disappointed that they couldn’t land him.
All of that being said, the NBA offseason is still in full swing and both the Knicks and Pacers will still be looking to make moves to improve their roster for the 2023-24 campaign.
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