Bruce Brown has never been the type to stay in one place for long - at least not so far in his NBA journey. But this season, he’s back where things clicked the most: Denver.
After a one-year detour with the New Orleans Pelicans, Brown returned to the Nuggets, turning down offers from both the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns. And as it turns out, he came very close to heading west to team up with LeBron and AD.
On a recent appearance with the DNVR Nuggets podcast, Brown opened up about just how close he was to joining the Lakers following Denver’s 2022-23 championship run. We're talking about a three-year, $50 million offer - with a starting point guard role attached.
“I was going to the Lakers after the championship year,” Brown recalled. “Free agency started.
They called me… [Jordan Ott] is there. JO is my guy, and they wanted me to be starting point guard.”
Let’s pause there for a moment. That’s not just a solid offer - that’s a full-on commitment.
A $50 million deal and the keys to the offense on a team that had just made the Western Conference Finals? That’s not easy to walk away from.
And Brown knew it.
“So, I’m like: I got LeBron, I got AD, I got guys,” he continued. “They went to the Western Conference Finals.
I want to win again. I can be a starting point guard for this, and all I’m doing is giving them the ball and getting the hell out of the way.
And I was like, ‘I’m going to do it.’”
It’s easy to see why Brown was tempted. The Lakers were offering him a defined role, a shot at another deep playoff run, and a chance to play alongside two of the game's biggest stars. But ultimately, the call of Denver - and everything it represented - proved stronger.
Brown was a critical piece of the Nuggets’ title-winning puzzle in 2022-23. His numbers - 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists per game - don’t scream superstar, but his impact was undeniable.
He brought energy, versatility, and a defensive edge that perfectly complemented Denver’s core. He was the kind of glue guy every championship team needs, and the Nuggets knew it.
Now back in Denver, Brown has slid right back into the mix like he never left. The chemistry, the comfort, the connection with teammates - it’s all still there.
And it’s showing. The Nuggets are 19-6, sitting second in the Western Conference, and looking every bit like a team ready to defend its crown.
Brown also spoke about his bond with Aaron Gordon, a relationship that clearly runs deeper than just on-court synergy.
“He is Mr. Nugget! We call him that in the locker room,” Brown said.
That kind of camaraderie doesn’t just happen - it’s built over time, through shared battles and mutual respect. And for Brown, that locker room connection is part of what made Denver feel like home again.
In hindsight, turning down the Lakers’ offer might’ve seemed like a gamble. But with the Nuggets rolling and Brown thriving in a system that values what he brings to the table, it’s looking more like a calculated decision - one that’s paying off on and off the court.