Add The California Post on Google The Lakers may have found their post-Jonathan Kuminga fallback plan.
The reigning NBA champions could spoil that one, too.
Veteran guard Bruce Brown has emerged as a potential Lakers target following Los Angeles’ failed pursuit of Kuminga, but NBA insider Brett Siegel believes the Knicks are currently the more realistic landing spot.
“There’s been some talk about the Lakers wanting Bruce Brown after missing out on Kuminga, but I’m not really sure how much I believe that,” Siegel said on “Clutch Scoops.” “I would cast doubt on the Lakers. Could they make it happen? Maybe. But I would look at the Knicks as a realistic option.”
That would amount to another frustrating turn for Los Angeles after Kuminga chose a two-year deal with Minnesota.
Brown would be a much smaller acquisition but arguably an easier fit financially.
The 30-year-old played all 82 games for Denver last season, averaging 7.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 47.5%. He also brings championship experience from the Nuggets’ 2023 title team and can defend multiple positions, handle the ball and operate without needing a large offensive role.
The Lakers have been interested before. Brown revealed that he nearly signed with Los Angeles in 2023 before Indiana swooped in with a two-year, $40 million offer.
Three years later, his market could come down to a veteran-minimum contract.
The problem is that New York can offer a compelling destination of its own.
Siegel believes Brown could function as a smaller-scale version of Josh Hart for the Knicks — defending, rebounding, creating and filling whatever role is needed for a team attempting to repeat as champion.
“He could come in and play that Josh Hart-type role for the Knicks,” Siegel said. “I think, personally for me, that would be a really good fit.”
The Lakers already added Walker Kessler, Kevon Looney, Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams during an offseason focused heavily on defense and roster balance, but questions remain about their frontcourt depth and size at forward.
Dwight Powell has been mentioned as one realistic minimum-salary option because of his extensive history playing alongside Luka Doncic in Dallas. Drew Eubanks, Bismack Biyombo and Mason Plumlee also remain among the available veteran big men.
On the wing, the dream targets are much more ambitious.
OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges have been floated as the type of bigger two-way forwards who would give Los Angeles exactly what it lacks, although there is little reason for the championship Knicks to break up either piece of their core. Any significant trade would also likely require the Lakers to find a taker for Jarred Vanderbilt and combine additional salary and assets.
That makes Brown attractive precisely because he wouldn’t require a blockbuster.
The Lakers could add another proven defender and secondary ball-handler without dramatically altering the roster.
First, though, they may have to convince Brown not to join the team they could eventually have to beat in June.
