Even though the Los Angeles Lakers already have 16 players under contract, more than the maximum 15 allowed once the regular season begins, the front office remains on the lookout for players who could potentially improve the roster. They narrowly missed out on forward Jonathan Kuminga, but now they are already popping up as a potential landing spot for another forward who they have coveted in the past.
Back in 2023, the Lakers made a strong push for Bruce Brown coming off his strong play for the Denver Nuggets in their run to the NBA Championship. Now, he is on the open market again and the Lakers could push to bring him in once again.
“I think he’s in the mix for the Lakers, a team that has had some interest in him for several years now,” NBA insider Jake Fischer said on a recent livestream for Bleacher Report.
The Lakers having interest in Brown makes sense as he is a defensive-minded forward who can guard multiple positions and do all the dirty work. He plays bigger than his size and has championship experience, so he will not be afraid under the bright lights.
While Brown didn’t have his best statistical season in his second stint with the Nuggets, he did show that he can still contribute and is accustomed to playing alongside a superstar who controls the ball. And the Lakers do still have a need in the frontcourt for a forward capable of matching up against bigger wings after missing out on Kuminga.
The Lakers did sign Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams this offseason, and also have Adou Thiero entering his second year after showing flashes in his rookie season. Adding Brown to that mix would give the Lakers a reliable option at a cheaper price who can be a solid rotation player and also help to develop some of the younger wings on the roster. And for Brown, he can continue his career on a team still looking to compete for championships.
Last season, Brown played in all 82 games for the Nuggets, averaging 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 24.4 minutes per game while shooting 47.5% from the field and 38.5% from 3-point range.
Hawks unwilling to do Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade with Lakers
The Lakers did try to bring in Kuminga, with the best route to do so being through a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks. The Lakers were willing to offer more money to him than what he ultimately signed for with the Timberwolves, but the Hawks had no interest in doing a deal.
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