Reports: Bruce Brown being pursued by Indiana Pacers in NBA free agency
According to multiple reports, the Indiana Pacers could be in pursuit of guard/wing Bruce Brown in NBA free agency.
Brown, who turns 27 in August, just wrapped up a career year with the Denver Nuggets. He averaged 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game for the NBA Champions this past season and was a key piece in the postseason. He averaged 26.5 minutes per game in the playoffs and scored 12 points per game, including 21 in a crucial Game 4 win during the NBA Finals.
The Massachusetts native signed a two-year, $13 million deal with Denver last summer, but the second season of that contract contained a player option. Brown opted out of that deal after a great campaign and is now a free agent.
Marc Stein of The Stein Line reported via a tweet on Thursday night that the Pacers are a new team to watch in the Brown free agency sweepstakes. He then added more via his newsletter the following morning.
"As I reported first via Twitter, league sources say that Indiana has been identified as a team at the forefront of the pursuit of Denver's Brown," Stein shared. He noted that some teams could be preparing to offer the guard/wing type a deal starting at the full Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception (roughly $12.4 million), but the Pacers have enough salary cap space to offer a deal that starts at a higher number.
In fact, the Pacers have upwards of $34 million in salary cap space after reportedly trading Chris Duarte to the Sacramento Kings. That would allow the team to sign Brown and another player, potentially.
Brown is a fascinating fit with Indiana. At just six-foot-four-inches tall, he has guard size. But he defends multiple positions well and plays bigger than his height, making him a capable wing. The blue and gold have other players at those positions, but few of them can defend or impact the game in the ways that Brown can.
The five-year veteran has helped his teams make the playoffs four times, and twice he has been a key part of a championship contender. Brown is the definition of a winning player.
He was drafted 42nd overall in the 2018 NBA Draft and has developed well since. His outside shot is now a credible weapon, and he pairs it with energy and defense. Those traits would fit well with the Pacers, though it's unclear exactly what role and position he would have.
Kelly Iko of The Athletic reported that Brown will meet with four teams early in free agency — the Pacers as well as the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, and Dallas Mavericks. There could be competition for his services, though only the Rockets and Pacers have salary cap room among that group.
Indiana has been connected to a number of free agents in recent days. That is the nature of having salary cap space heading into free agency and having clear needs. Teams and players can begin officially negotiating contracts later today.
- Who are the Indiana Pacers free agents in 2023? CLICK HERE.
- Jarace Walker's high school program director breaks down the Pacers' lottery pick's growth. CLICK HERE.
- Report: Indiana Pacers wing Chris Duarte traded to Sacramento Kings. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers have talked with Atlanta Hawks about De'Andre Hunter trade, per multiple reports. CLICK HERE.
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