Lakers Eye Trade for $23 Million NBA Champion After Doncic Deal
Bruce Brown, formerly of the Denver Nuggets
Over the weekend, the Los Angeles Lakers completed a trade with the Dallas Mavericks to acquire Luka Doncic, and it’s likely that more moves are on the horizon as the trade deadline approaches.
As part of the deal, both All-Star center Anthony Davis and wing Max Christie were sent to Dallas. Davis and Christie had been starters for L.A., with Davis serving as a dominant rim protector and Christie contributing as a key wing defender capable of guarding top-tier playmakers.
Finding a replacement for Davis will be a significant challenge, as elite defenders like him are rare. Similarly, quality wing defenders are hard to come by, but the Lakers might be targeting Bruce Brown of the Toronto Raptors. Toronto has made Brown available, and several teams, including the Lakers, are reportedly in pursuit, with the February 6 deadline fast approaching.
According to Evan Sidery of Forbes, “The Heat, Lakers, Pistons, and Timberwolves have recently shown interest in Bruce Brown.” Sidery also noted that Brown’s $23 million expiring contract could complicate negotiations, especially for teams over the salary cap, but Toronto is actively generating interest for the veteran guard.
Brown Could Fill Defensive Void for Lakers
Brown was a key contributor to the Denver Nuggets’ championship run two years ago, starting 31 out of 80 regular season games and averaging 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.1 steals in 28.5 minutes per game. He also shot nearly 36% from three on 3.2 attempts per game.
After his time in Denver, Brown signed a $45 million contract with the Indiana Pacers, but after playing half a season there, he was traded to the Toronto Raptors.
Brown has career averages of 8.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 0.9 steals per game. At 28, he could provide the Lakers with much-needed perimeter defense, an area that was a concern before Christie’s trade and remains a key issue now.
However, Brown’s shooting has declined since his championship days in Denver. He made just 32.3% of his 3-point attempts last season and has managed only 33.3% this year. While both Doncic and LeBron James are exceptional playmakers, they need reliable shooters to maximize their offensive potential.
That said, Brown would likely receive more open looks in an offense alongside James and Doncic, which could lead to an increase in both his shot attempts and shooting percentage.