Bruce Brown remains one of the most experienced players still available with NBA training camps approaching.
The 30-year-old guard-forward is an unrestricted free agent after spending the 2025-26 season with the Denver Nuggets. Despite playing all 82 regular-season games and producing efficiently from the perimeter, Brown has gone more than two months without finding his next team. The NBA’s official free-agent tracker continues to list him without a destination for the 2026-27 season.
His market, however, is beginning to generate more attention.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been connected to Brown, while the defending champion New York Knicks have emerged as another possible destination. NBA insider Brett Siegel recently identified New York as a potential fit for the veteran.
Knicks Could Offer Brown a Natural Role
Brown’s versatility makes the Knicks an intriguing possibility.
Siegel noted that Brown is represented by Creative Artists Agency, which also represents several prominent Knicks players, including Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Jose Alvarado. Knicks president Leon Rose also previously worked as a CAA agent.
From a basketball perspective, Brown could provide New York with another experienced and versatile option off the bench.
The 6-foot-4 veteran has spent much of his career filling different roles depending on the personnel around him. He can defend multiple positions, operate without dominating possession, handle the ball when necessary and contribute as a rebounder despite being undersized against some forwards.
Siegel specifically suggested Brown could fill a role like Hart’s in New York.
Brown would also bring championship experience to a Knicks team attempting to defend its title.
He played an important role for Denver during its 2023 championship run, averaging 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists across 20 playoff games.
Lakers Have Been Linked to Brown Again
The Lakers are another team familiar with Brown.
Los Angeles pursued him during the 2023 offseason after Denver’s championship before Brown ultimately signed a two-year, $45 million contract with the Indiana Pacers.
The possibility of finally bringing him to Los Angeles has resurfaced.
NBA insider Jake Fischer recently reported that Brown is among the possibilities for the Lakers, who have maintained interest in him for several years.
Los Angeles turned its attention elsewhere after Jonathan Kuminga signed a two-year contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Brown would represent a less expensive veteran alternative capable of defending larger perimeter players and functioning alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves without requiring significant offensive usage.
Actually signing him would be complicated.
The Lakers currently have 16 guaranteed contracts, already one above the regular-season maximum of 15. They would have to make multiple roster moves to create a place for Brown.
Siegel has consequently expressed skepticism about how realistic the Lakers’ interest is. He noted that Los Angeles would need to cut two players just to add Brown and is already approximately $500,000 above the luxury-tax line.
That makes New York a destination worth watching as Brown’s free agency continues.
Brown Played All 82 Games for Denver
Brown returned to Denver last season after spending time with Indiana, Toronto and New Orleans following his departure from the Nuggets in 2023.
His second stint with Denver did not produce the same offensive numbers as his championship season, but he remained a consistent member of the rotation.
Brown averaged 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steal in 24.4 minutes per game while appearing in all 82 regular-season contests. He shot 47.5 percent from the field and a career-best 38.5 percent from 3-point range.
He also appeared in six playoff games, averaging 6.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.7 steals.
Brown’s durability and improved outside shooting would seemingly give him value as a veteran rotation player, but his market has developed differently than it did three years ago.
After helping Denver win the championship in 2023, Brown received the lucrative contract from Indiana. At this stage of his career, teams appear to view him more as a potential low-cost addition than a player commanding another significant multiyear commitment.
With training camp approaching, Brown remains unsigned.
The Lakers have renewed their previous interest, but their roster situation makes a deal difficult. The Knicks have surfaced as another possibility for a veteran whose defensive versatility, championship experience and ability to fill several roles continue to give him value despite a quiet free-agent market.
