Bruce Brown was part of a historic run to the NBA championship with the Denver Nuggets this season. He was one of the major assets of their coach Michael Malone. Bruce was a splendid defender who could hit big-time shots when needed, and he essentially acted as a backup guard to Jamal Murray. Brown signed with the Nuggets a season earlier when he was coming off a dismantled Brooklyn Nets. His motivations for joining Denver were increased roles and expectations, which led him to join for nearly $7 million.
After making a successful championship run with Jokic-led Nuggets, Bruce Brown hit his fans with a surprising move. Bruce denied his $6.8 million player options and signed with Indiana Pacers. His motivation to choose the Pacers was very different from motivations in 2022.
Bruce Brown opens up on his decision
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In a recent interview on Tidal League, Bruce appeared for an hour-long candid chat. During that time, he talked about his early childhood, entering the league, pivotal checkpoints, winning a championship, and ultimately, switching teams.
When asked about his reasons behind the move, that too right after the championship run, he said, “It really came out of nowhere.” He explained how he expected something around $13 million a year for three years to constitute $40 million. Brown says, “I’m fine with that, I don’t care, Still a pay raise.” He recalled how his agent (Ty) called him to inform him, “Two years forty-five, it’s on the table.”
Before Indiana, Bruce’s highest contract came with Denver. The Pacers’ deal multiplies his yearly earnings nearly three-fold. This is a huge milestone for the 26-year-old, not just in life but in his career.
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Brown’s addition to the up-and-coming Indiana team can add value to their core. His first-hand championship experience can enable talented players like Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner, and Buddy Hield to navigate the league much better than ever. If not the missing element, his presence can uplift the team and put them in stretches of consistency.
Brown’s Role in the 2023 NBA Championship
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Throughout the regular season, Brown showcased his shooting skills by hitting 48.3% of his field goals and 35.8% of his threes. Playing a supporting role alongside notable players like Nikola Joki?, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Michael Porter Jr., Brown maintained solid playoff averages of 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.1 steals during the post-season.
Furthermore, he upgraded his FG% to 51.1% from the floor. As a result, in the highly competitive Western Conference, Denver Nuggets dominated the playoffs and the NBA Finals.
Now, the Nuggets face the challenge of finding a suitable replacement for Brown. The role player played for more than his contract with the team. Given the monetary limitations of the team, the team must efficiently fill the void left by Brown. Meanwhile, Brown will face increased responsibilities in Indiana in the higher pay cut.
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With that, will we be able to revitalize Indiana from its stagnation? And how can Denver find an efficient replacement for Brown?
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