Report: Lakers still showing interest in Bruce Brown

The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to upgrade their roster this offseason, and they are apparently interested in Toronto Raptors veteran Bruce Brown.

“The Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks are two teams that showed interest in Brown last season, sources said, and Los Angeles maintains interest in him this offseason,” wrote NBA insider Brett Siegel. “One team whispered to have interest in Brown and was quietly mentioned as a possible suitor months ago is the Golden State Warriors. While unlikely to occur, the Warriors have the ability to move Andrew Wiggins, who is making more than $26 million this season, in a package from Toronto that includes Brown and other assets. This would open up more financial flexibility for the Dubs moving forward.”

As Siegel mentioned, the Lakers were interested in Brown last offseason before he wound up signing with the Indiana Pacers. However, he was then moved to the Raptors before the 2023-24 season concluded.

A slow offseason for the Lakers

Jun 24, 2024; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka loosk on as head coach JJ Redick speaks to the media during an introductory news conference at the UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Lakers added Bronny James and Dalton Knecht through the draft this offseason and have some other prospects on two-way deals, but the team hasn’t made major moves and currently has essentially the same roster it had in the playoffs. Remember, the Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of last season’s playoffs.

The Lakers are one of three teams that haven't signed any free agents this summer, per @ESPNLosAngeles pic.twitter.com/q881ao7EiQ

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 23, 2024

New Lakers head coach JJ Redick recently said that the team is looking to add a “big, bruising” center, so that might be something to look forward. However, it feels very unlikely that L.A. makes a groundbreaking move by signing a center.

Los Angeles appears to be on the hunt for wing help, as it is apparently one of the many teams across the league interested in Cameron Johnson.

Brown is a different type of player and seemingly a bit more versatile. He got minutes at point guard, shooting guard and small forward last season, and the Lakers would definitely love to have that type of positional versatility on the roster.

The one-time champ averaged 10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game on 47.8 percent shooting from the field and 32.3 percent shooting from deep.

It’ll be interesting to keep a close eye on whatever moves the Lakers make during what’s left of the offseason — should they make any at all.

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