Potential Jazz Target Speaks on Last Free Agency: “Nobody Wanted Me"

Bruce Brown entered the 2022 NBA Free Agency coming off a quiet, yet productive season with the Brooklyn Nets. A Nets team that at the time still had some of the highest championship expectations in the entire league with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving headlining the roster. He was providing some respectable averages during his 2022 campaign of 9.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on some great 50/40/75 splits.

All within a contract year, Brown would’ve expected some traction in the open market during his 2022 free agency. It was the second time Brown would be hitting free agency in his career after ultimately deciding to re-up with Brooklyn during the year before. Despite the potential he’d shown behind some of the league’s best stars in Brooklyn, Brown recently went on to describe the lack of interest he managed to generate:

The rumors coming into free agency last year was that I was getting a lot of offers. I wasn’t. Nobody wanted me.

- Bruce Brown on his 2022 free agency,

via Adam Mares of

DNVR Sports.

The market was cold when it came to the two-way wing’s services which is a bit surprising. Last summer he was only 25, and it seemed as if we have yet to see the best from him during his time in Brooklyn. Many teams realistically could’ve found some value in the former second round pick.

Eventually, the Denver Nuggets were the team to finally take a chance on Brown with a two-year, $13 million deal, attached with a player option in the second year. A decision that would soon prove to be a fantastic one for both sides just a year later. Now, Brown has the chance to compete for the first NBA Finals of his young career.

During both this year’s regular season and playoffs, we’ve seen the consistent impact Brown can bring to any team, and fit extremely well in the process. Something that the Utah Jazz among many teams could find some intrigue in with his combination of both shot-making and defensive ability. The Jazz also have a hold of a lot of free money this offseason as things currently stand with projected over $40 million in practical cap space.

This offseason looks to be a bit different than the last in terms of interest surrounding Bruce Brown. We’ve consistently seen him produce on a championship-level team, and the increasing desire for 3&D wings across the league could allow him to obtain a bigger payday than the last this summer. However, Brown may be just as content staying put in Denver for next season:

Bruce Brown says he hasn’t thought about his contract status past this season and what he’ll do this summer, but said Denver has been the perfect fit and that it was a great decision to sign here. Brown said Michael Malone asked him today what his contract was for next season

- Harrison Wind on Bruce Brown’s impending free agency,

via DNVR Sports

The increased demand expected for Bruce Brown could merit his departure from his current championship level team, but the Nuggets might just want to retain him if possible. Brown probably won’t be returning on his current contract worth $6.8 million next season, a pay raise is definitely in order. But, if somehow there ends up being yet another summer consistent with the lack of interest he’s previously seen, Denver simply could do exactly what they did a year ago.

The Utah Jazz should continue to keep an eye on Bruce Brown as the NBA Finals get underway on June 1st. Depending on how important we see him be utilized throughout this series, things could only begin to look better for him.

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