The world champions in Denver Nuggets are in danger of significantly losing a crucial piece of their golden run this year
According to league insider Marc Stein, the Dallas Mavericks view swingman Bruce Brown as their “starting point” heading toward free agency hunting for “top wings.” Noted by Stein, the Mavs have opened up a massive $12.4 million non-taxpayers mid-level exception after dumping Davis Bertans to the Oklahoma City Thunder in last Thursday’s Draft.
“Dallas instead used Bertans’ contract to move down two spots in the draft to select Duke center Dereck Lively II at No. 12 and likewise move far enough away from luxury-tax territory to gain use of the full non-taxpayers’ $12.4 midlevel exception in free agency to pursue top wings in free agency (starting with Denver’s Bruce Brown),” Stein wrote.
Brown notably turned down his $6.8 million player option for the 2023-24 season earlier this week. On the side of the Nuggets, it would be challenging for them to retain their beloved sixth man in terms of the financial standpoint as they can only sign him for a maximum of $7.8 million next year.
Brown elevated his value after he and Denver clinched their first-ever championship. The Swiss army wing averaged 12.0 markers, 4.0 boards, 1.9 assists, and 1.1 steals in 20 postseason games for the franchise and was a reliable two-way presence with his facilitating skills and defensive versatility.
Brown voiced out his desire to remain in Denver during their championship celebration, but the increased amount of contract he’ll get heading to the market can’t be denied as a strong factor for him to leave Colorado.
