NBA Rumors: Knicks and Lakers Compete for One of the Most Coveted Players in the League
Bruce Brown is not a superstar, but he meets the requirements that every team wants to have in its roster
Los Angeles Lakers have recently been linked to Bruce Brown, but the Los Angeles franchise may have a new competitor in the race to acquire the veteran forward’s services.
After the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat previously emerged as possible destinations, the New York Knicks have now also joined the list of teams that could try to sign Brown this summer, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
Siegel questions the Lakers' interest
The possibility of Brown landing in Los Angeles has gained traction after the Lakers failed to acquire Kuminga. However, Siegel is unsure if the franchise will actually pursue the veteran player.
"There has been talk that the Lakers want Bruce Brown after not getting Kuminga, but I'm not really sure how much I believe that," Siegel explained, casting doubt on this possibility.
The journalist believes that the Lakers could try to make the move happen but points to the Knicks as a much more realistic option for the player.
"Could they pull it off? Maybe. But I would look at the Knicks as a realistic option," he noted.
A full season in Denver
Brown remains one of the top unrestricted free agents available on the market. After winning the 2023 NBA championship with the Denver Nuggets, the player returned to the franchise for the 2025-26 season on a one-year, $3 million contract.
During the campaign, he averaged 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.0 steal in 24.4 minutes per game.
Additionally, he played all 82 regular season games and finished with a 47.5% field goal percentage and a 38.5% from three-point range.
A role similar to Josh Hart
If he ends up with the Knicks, Siegel believes that Brown could take on a role similar to the one currently held by Josh Hart in New York.
The veteran is regarded as a high-level rotation player and stands out for his ability to contribute in various aspects of the game. He can defend, grab rebounds, generate plays, and score when the team needs it, all while performing this work coming off the bench.
"He could come in and play that Josh Hart role for the Knicks. Personally, I think he would be a really good fit," Siegel stated.
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