The Los Angeles Lakers have a real shot to finally sign Bruce Brown this summer after the Nuggets' shocking first-round playoff exit. Nugg Love expert David Decker predicted Brown might not return. The 6’4 wing will be an unrestricted free agent and wants to play for a contender. Los Angeles has cap space and a strong desire to improve their roster.
Brown nearly signed with the Lakers in 2023 before the Pacers swooped in with a massive offer. Things didn’t work out in Indiana, so he was traded to the Raptors. Brown also made a stop in New Orleans before returning to Denver in 2025. He won a championship with the Nuggets in 2023, but things were different this time.
Brown is a stout defender who can fill several different roles. Need some playmaking, the 29-year-old can offer it. He can also sink an open shot, defend multiple positions, and get some easy buckets off cuts. Brown is a high-IQ player who would fit nicely in LA. Now, it's finally time for the Lakers to make it a reality.
Lakers could finally sign Bruce Brown this summer
Los Angeles was caught in a tricky position to start their first-round playoff series. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were both injured. It forced head coach JJ Redick to use LeBron James, Marcus Smart, and Luke Kennard as his ball-handlers. The only other point guard on the roster was Bronny James, and Redick cut him from the playoff rotation the moment Reaves returned. The Lakers were lucky they had Smart and Kennard.
Brown could offer similar out-of-position ball-handling and shot creation. He played a key role in the Nuggets' 2023 title run and was excited about joining the Lakers in 2023. This feels like the perfect fit, especially if Los Angeles can sign him at or near the minimum.
Coach Redick is maximizing his current talent. Deandre Ayton is bought into his role like never before. Smart is impacting winning after looking completely washed in Memphis and Washington. Kennard reached new heights with Luka and AR out.
Brown could be the next standout role player in Los Angeles. His versatility and high basketball IQ make him a strong fit next to any elite playmaker. Luka and LeBron would be finding him for dunks, and the veteran would return the favor with pressure-relieving playmaking. Brown thrived next to Jokic, and it would be a similar story in LA.
The Lakers would have had to pay $16-plus million per year to get Brown in 2023, but he will be much cheaper now. He just played on a minimum contract in Denver to rebuild his value, but the season ended in disaster. Brown was only playing 20 minutes per game off the bench in the playoffs. If the Lakers offered slightly more than the minimum, they could almost certainly steal the 6’4 wing from their rival.
The Los Angeles Lakers may finally land Bruce Brown this summer after years of trying. They are the only contender with cap space, and the veteran is an unrestricted free agent. Brown is unlikely to be back in Denver, so the door is open. The purple and gold just need to get him to sign on the dotted line.
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