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The Los Angeles Lakers know from experience Bruce Brown’s influence on a title-chasing team. Brown’s role off the bench gave the Denver Nuggets a major spark against the Purple and Gold franchise in the Western Conference Finals.
After the underrated guard/forward has opted out of his contract in Denver, a move to Hollywood may be imminent. Mike Singer had to report on Los Angeles’ potential interest in Brown:
Multiple sources told denverpost: “One of the two teams most interested in signing Bruce Brown away from Denver is the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers could offer him the full MLE ($12.3 million annually). The Nuggets could only offer up to $7.8 million this year.” “.
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The “Cowboy Bruce” played 80 games for the Nuggets last season, starting 31 of them. He averaged 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game in the regular season.
Bruce Brown was a versatile weapon for the Nuggets in relief Jamal Murray or Kentavius Caldwell Pope. Coach Mike Malone trusted him to run Denver’s offense with speed and the Browns fired with powerful minutes.
In the Conference Finals sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers, Brown put up 12.3 PPG, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.5 APG. He shot 52.8% from the field, including 36.4% from behind the arc.
Brown’s contributions were not limited to the score sheet. His hustle, energy and hard work were crucial, especially when Finals MVP Nikola Jokic was off the bench.
During the presentation, it seemed certain that Brown would stay with the defending champions and opt out of his $7.7 million contract. He knew that his play all season, especially in the playoffs, had made him a desirable free agent.
The Los Angeles Lakers could pounce on the opportunity and bolster their lineup with the addition of Brown. They’d also dilute the Nuggets’ depth if they can get him out of Mile High City.
Signing Bruce Brown would be a much needed boost to the Los Angeles Lakers seat
The Los Angeles Lakers may have to drop D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Lonnie Walker to re-sign Roy Hachimura and Austin Reeves. Lakers GM Rob Pelinka is prioritizing Reaves over any free agents even if rival teams offer the undrafted former guard $100 million for four years.
If Reaves gets the maximum deal, Pelinka will have his work cut out for him. He may have to sign Hachimura for roughly $20 million a season instead of the $14 million the team expects him to do.
Whether or not the Lakers re-sign Hachimura, Bruce Brown would be a huge boost to the bench. If they had to drop the Japanese, Brown’s value would be even more important to the team.
“Cowboy Bruce” is a sure postseason worker who isn’t afraid of the big moments. The Los Angeles Lakers may need him to get over the hump in the Western Conference next season.
Also read: Bruce Brown Jr. Agency Free: Top 3 teams that could sign the Nuggets guard this summer
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