The Los Angeles Clippers will not exercise the fourth-year $4.79 million team option on Kobe Brown for the 2026-27 season, according to NBA insider Michael Scotto. Brown, the 30th pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, will become an unrestricted free agent in the upcoming offseason.
Brown, 25, is in the third year of his four-year rookie scale contract. He has appeared sparingly in the early 2025-26 season, playing 3 games off the bench, with averages of 1.3 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 0.3 assists per contest.
Over his first three NBA seasons, Brown has appeared in 87 games without a start, averaging 2.0 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game.
The Clippers currently have a 2-2 record in the 2025-26 season, led by stars James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and John Collins. Harden is averaging 21.3 points and 4.8 assists, while Leonard contributes 21.3 points and 6.3 rebounds. Zubac and Collins provide scoring and interior presence for the team.
Declining Brown’s option gives Los Angeles financial flexibility for the 2026 offseason. With several key contracts coming off the books, the Clippers could pursue free agents or trades to adjust the roster around their core stars.
