Jonathan Kuminga is officially off the board and heading to the Minnesota Timberwolves, leaving the Lakers absolutely scrambling for two-way wings and forwards. Seriously, their options are almost GONE as they chase talent in free agency. But hold up, there’s one intriguing two-way wing still out there, just waiting for a call: Bruce Brown.
The Lakers’ Last Best Hope?
We’re talking about Bruce Brown here, an eight-year NBA veteran who’s somehow still unsigned after a killer year with the Denver Nuggets. This guy isn’t just some bench warmer; he was on that 2022-23 Nuggets squad that snagged the NBA championship, so he knows how to win. NBA insider Jake Fischer even dropped a bombshell on a recent Bleacher Report livestream, saying Brown is definitely “in the mix for the Lakers,” a team that’s apparently been eyeing him for “several years now.” It makes you wonder, if they’ve had interest for that long, why haven’t they closed the deal already? After that championship run, the Lakers were already showing multiple signs of interest. Now, with Kuminga gone, it feels like it’s now or never for them to finally grab their guy.
Brown’s Game: A Two-Way Force
Let’s talk about what Brown brings to the court. Last season, he put up solid numbers, averaging 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 24.4 minutes per game. And he wasn’t just jacking up shots; he was efficient, shooting 47.5% from the field and a sweet 38.5% from 3-point range. He even bounced around a bit, playing for the Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, and New Orleans Pelicans for two years before circling back to the Nuggets. At 6-foot-4, he’s got that versatility coaches dream of. He can slot into both guard spots, or even slide over to the 3 spot, which is huge for lineup flexibility. Plus, he can chip in as a secondary ball-handler sometimes, taking some pressure off the main playmakers. But make no mistake, his biggest calling card? Defense. The man is chiefly known as a strong defender who can effectively guard players at multiple positions. That’s exactly the kind of two-way grit the Lakers desperately need right now.
This isn’t just another free agent signing; this is potentially the last solid two-way wing available for a team that absolutely needs to fill that void. The clock is ticking for the Lakers. Will they finally land Brown after years of trying to get him? Or will another team snatch him up, leaving them with practically no options left?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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