One of the most interesting free agency tales from this year came with the recruitment of Bruce Brown. After playing a crucial role in the Nuggets’ title win this season, Brown hit the market to get the best offer for himself.
He was widely tipped to join either the Lakers or the Mavericks, but both teams ultimately got blown out of the water by the Pacers. Brown signed a two-year, $45 million contract with them and revealed that he took a meeting with the Knicks before signing.
“I took two meetings. The Knicks was the first. I think we had others lined up, but we didn’t make it there… I just think it’s a perfect fit. Tyrese [Haliburton] was recruiting me a little bit.”
"I took 2 meetings. The Knicks was the 1st. I think we had others lined up, but we didn't make it there. I just think it's a perfect fit. Tyrese [Haliburton] was recruiting me."
Bruce Brown on signing with the Pacerspic.twitter.com/RFFtzuE1sK
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 6, 2023
It seems the Mavs and Lakers never got to even make their offer to Brown. There was nothing Brown could bargain for financially in those meetings, as both LA and Dallas were restricted to offering Brown the $12.4 million exception. The Knicks ultimately signed Donte DiVincenzo to presumably fill the role they anticipated for Brown.
The new Pacers’ swingman averaged 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists last season and 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in the playoffs.
Pacers Take A Step Towards Contention
The Indiana Pacers were expected to be rebuilding, but the emergence of Tyrese Haliburton last season has made the team make a concerted effort to win. Both Myles Turner and Buddy Hield seem to be off the trade market, as they can help the Pacers be a winning team right now.
Brown is not going to stuff the stat sheet, but he’ll do everything that’s needed on the court to make his impact felt. He could be a great mentor for players like Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin. With more solid additions like Jarace Walker in the Draft, the Eastern Conference should be worried about what the Pacers can do next season.
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