The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly maintaining their interest in guard Bruce Brown of the Toronto Raptors. This comes after they nearly secured him as a free agent during the 2023 offseason, as noted by Jovan Buha from The Athletic. During a recent discussion on his YouTube channel, Buha mentioned that the Lakers had anticipated signing Brown before he chose to join the Indiana Pacers.
In June 2023, Brown signed a two-year contract worth $45 million with the Pacers, only to be traded to the Raptors in January 2024 as part of a significant deal involving star Pascal Siakam. Currently, Brown remains under the same contract, which means he’ll become a free agent at the end of the 2024-25 season. Given that the Raptors are focusing on developing younger talent around All-Star Scottie Barnes, they may be open to trading Brown to avoid the risk of losing him to free agency.
For the Lakers, who are eager to strengthen their supporting cast around superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Brown represents a promising option. His ability to make an impact without dominating the ball is particularly appealing, as he showcases solid defensive skills and rebounding capabilities. Over his career, Brown has averaged 6.1 rebounds per 36 minutes and played a significant role during the Denver Nuggets’ championship run in the 2023 playoffs, averaging 26.5 minutes per game.
Although Brown has yet to make an appearance this season following knee surgery, he has been practicing, indicating that he could make a return soon as he continues to regain his conditioning.
In summary, the Lakers are keen on Bruce Brown as they look to enhance their roster, particularly with his experience and skills contributing to a winning environment. As Brown progresses in his recovery, fans can look forward to seeing how he might fit into the playoff-contending strategies of both the Raptors and the Lakers. This situation highlights the dynamic nature of the NBA and the potential for movement that can reshape team rosters.