The Denver Nuggets may have just subtly made their plans for Bruce Brown loud and clear via a jersey number announcement for Alpha Diallo. That's right, Diallo has chosen to wear number 11, and the Nuggets have given it to him.
New to the Mile High 🏔️ pic.twitter.com/g40a8tqjzI
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) August 4, 2026
Sure, Brown hasn't been re-signed yet, and Diallo is officially a Nugget, so he gets his choice of what number he wants to wear. But it would be hard to fathom a return for Brown after this declaration. Especially with the way the roster is currently getting built out. There just may not be room for Brown.
Brown was back with the Nuggets on his second stint in Denver. During his first one-year stint, he was an integral member of the rotation during the Nuggets' championship-winning season of 2022-23. But he used that momentum to seek out greener, higher-paying pastures. He found his way back to the Nuggets this past season after his higher-paying contract had expired, and he became a great value for the Nuggets on the veteran minimum. But with Diallo, he's not really needed.
Diallo should take over for Brown off the bench
Diallo is a small forward, but he's an adaptable wing who can play defense at the two-guard spot without a problem. He's the reigning Defensive Player of the Year from the EuroLeague, and he should be a large defensive upgrade over Brown. That adaptability on defense will be key, as he can shift around and guard anyone's best player that isn't a five.
Plus, because Diallo has never played in the NBA, the Nuggets were able to save on their luxury tax problem by signing Diallo to a rookie minimum, which saved them a little over a million dollars against the salary cap. Every million counts for the Nuggets as they navigate the offseason over the second-apron tax threshold.
The knock on Diallo will be his offense. He'll be a downgrade from Brown in that department, but the hope is that he's so good on defense that he stops more points than Brown would be scoring.
It could be a bittersweet ending for Brown
Brown was well-liked by the fans in Denver, and "Cowboy" Bruce, with his handlebar mustache, will be missed for his always-smiling personality if this is truly the end of the road as a Nugget. For now, at least, because we don't know if they'll reunite again.
But if they do this season, Brown would have to find a new jersey number. That much is for certain.
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