The Philadelphia 76ers have one more roster spot available, which they are currently unable to fill up, but that could change with some front office gymnastics. To that effect, one intriguing name still left in the open market whom they should keep a close eye on is Bruce Brown. However, it seems like the Lakers are already angling to pry him away before the Sixers even register their serious interest.
As reported by NBA insider Jake Fischer, Brown is on the Lakers' radar with the offseason slowly coming to its end point. The one-time NBA champion, who spent last season with the Nuggets, strangely saw a completely dry market for his services. He would theoretically be a great fit for the 76ers bench, but with LA showing more immediate interest, that thought piece could very well be considered moot at this point.
The 76ers could lose Bruce Brown to the Lakers before they even show real interest
Brown was a key piece for the Nuggets last season, effectively functioning as their main catalyst off the bench. He appeared in all 82 games for his ball club, averaging 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per outing while shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from beyond the arc.
The eight-year veteran has made a career out of being an effective two-way role player who does not need the ball to make an impact on a ballgame. As a plug-and-play guy, he is someone who can be easily integrated into various lineup configurations, and beyond the numbers, he does not shy away from taking on the less glamorous parts of the game.
The 76ers have a litany of talented shot creators that low-usage, high-impact players like Brown have become a necessity. Even beyond their loaded starting five, Philadelphia's bench also has some score-first players who should be surrounded by players him.
More specifically, the 76ers need a lift when it comes to their perimeter defense. Brown, with his frame, can capably defend most perimeter operators, and he is also able to hold his own against much bigger opponents with his on-court smarts and battle-tested instincts, which helped the Nuggets win the chip three years ago.
Unfortunately, with the Lakers lurking and the 76ers not even getting linked to Brown, LA is likely going to be able to snag the veteran. It won't be anywhere close to being their downfall, but Philly could have definitely used someone as savvy as him to round out their roster.
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