Source: Indiana Pacers sign Bruce Brown to two-year contract in NBA Free Agency
The Indiana Pacers will sign guard/wing Bruce Brown to a two-year, $45 million contract, a league source confirmed to AllPacers. Alex Golden of Setting The Pace was the first to report an agreement between the Pacers and Brown.
Brown just finished up a season with the Denver Nuggets where he was a key part of a Championship team. He averaged 12.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in the postseason while shooting 51.1% from the field. His 21-point game in Game 4 of the NBA Finals was vital in helping the Nuggets clinch the title.
During the regular season, Brown put up 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per night. Beyond showing an improved three-point shot and increasing his volume from deep, Brown also played excellent defense for his size and was able to defend guys at multiple different positions.
That should all be appealing to the Pacers. While the team has multiple other guard/wing types and will have to sort out their rotation in those positions, Brown can play the three and is certainly among the best defenders in the group that Indiana has. He could have an instant role with the team.
According to a league source, the second year of Brown's contract contains a team option. That means that if this coming season goes poorly, Indiana can let go of Brown and have his money off the books in 2024-25. If things go great, they can keep him. Non-bird rights also should be enough for the blue and gold to retain Brown, if they are so inclined. This deal allows the Pacers to maintain their flexibility.
The first year of the deal is for $22 million in value, a league source told AllPacers. That leaves Indiana with about $14 million more in salary cap room for the rest of the free agency, barring other moves.
Brown should fit in well in Indiana. He can defend on the perimeter, cut and play in the open floor with Tyrese Haliburton, and make plays with the ball. Stylistically, that's a great fit for the blue and gold, even though they will have to figure out the rotation.
The Miami Hurricane product is a five-year veteran with four seasons of playoff experience. He helped Detroit reach the postseason as a rookie and was a key part of championship contending teams in both Brooklyn and Denver. The Nuggets didn't want to lose him this offseason but were limited in how much they could offer him financially.
"Is Brucey B going anywhere? Hell no!" Denver head coach Michael Malone said at the Nuggets championship parade with the guard/wing standing by his side. Now, Brown is off to the Pacers.
Brown is currently the highest paid Pacer. The team still needs to make a move to fill out the roster and reach the salary floor, and perhaps a deal to clear up the backcourt rotation is coming. Free agency is underway, but Brown won't be legally allowed to sign a contract with the Pacers until the moratorium period ends on July 6.
- 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.
- Reports: Bruce Brown being pursued by Indiana Pacers in NBA free agency. CLICK HERE.
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