What happened: Jake Fischer said Los Angeles has maintained interest in Brown for several years and now considers him a potential target. Brown nearly joined the Lakers in 2023 before a two-year, $40 million offer changed his plans.
Why it matters: Brown would likely cost the veteran minimum, a cheaper pivot from the Lakers' pursuit of Kuminga, but he does not offer the same size at forward. Los Angeles has 16 players under contract, so any signing requires a corresponding move before the regular season.
By the numbers: Brown averaged 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists for Denver in 2025-26. He shot 47.5% from the field and 38.5% from 3-point range across 82 games.
What to watch: Brown's free-agent decision and the Lakers' roster cut or trade are the next checkpoints.