Watching the Nuggets falter down the stretch of game two against the Clippers, it was hard not to think the players wore down in crunch time and could have used more rest throughout the game. It’s been the crux of the issue all season long, and David Adelmann is doing his best to solve it on the fly.
DeAndre Jordan got a few minutes last game, Jalen Pickett has gotten stints here and there, and Peyton Watson has looked okay but hasn’t gotten over 14 minutes in a game. It’s really just the starters and Russell Westbrook for this playoff run, for better or worse.
The team is in desperate need of some depth and reliable role players. And to add insult to injury, a man who would and has helped in the past was sitting right there watching it all unfold from his courtside seats.
Bruce Brown back in Denver to watch game 2
A crucial and beloved part of the 2023 championship team, Bruce Brown was in attendance for game two, sitting courtside. He talked with some of his old teammates before the game, cheered them on, did a sideline interview for Altitude TV, and even went around the Nuggets’ locker room after the game to show support.
Brown was a perfect role player for this squad two seasons ago, but sadly, they couldn’t match the lucrative contract he received from the Pacers as a free agent. Since that deal, Brown has been traded twice and finished out this season for a flailing New Orleans Pelicans team that finished 21-61 on the season.
Could Brown sign with the Nuggets this offseason?
During his sideline interview, Brown was asked by Katy Winge if he would ever come back to the Nuggets, and he did point out that he is currently a free agent and wouldn’t rule that out. Denver won’t have much to offer in free agency, unless Dario Saric and/or Westbrook opt out of their deals, but the roster may look a lot different in a couple of months, and maybe there will be room for Brown.
He could also accept a minimum contract in Denver, which isn’t totally out of the question. Brown just made $44 million over the past two seasons, but was shopped around and spent most of his time on young, rebuilding teams.
He also pointed out that he missed playoff basketball and that the fans were his favorite part of Denver. Maybe Bruce is ready to take a discount to return to the place where he peaked as a basketball player. He can likely get a higher offer, but if he wants the perfect fit, to try and win another ring, and possibly boost his value back up in the process, Denver may start to look pretty appealing.