Inside The Nuggets

Denver Nuggets NBA Champion Could Be Potential Lakers Trade Target 

The Los Angeles Lakers may look to upgrade their roster around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Joey Linn

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) against Denver Nuggets guards Jamal Murray (27) and Bruce Brown (11) in the Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) against Denver Nuggets guards Jamal Murray (27) and Bruce Brown (11) in the Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena. / Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
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The Los Angeles Lakers are in need of some roster upgrades around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. With the assets to make a deal, Los Angeles has been quiet this offseason, but could strike at the trade deadline when more players become available.

While the Lakers are always linked to potentially available stars, perhaps a role player could be the right piece for this group without comprising future flexibility. It’s unclear what role players around the league are currently available, but one name that is expected to be moved before next season’s deadline is Toronto Raptors guard Bruce Brown.

Picking up Brown’s $23M team option, Toronto will likely look to move the 2023 Denver Nuggets champion. In a recent article detailing potential Lakers trade targets, Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus named Brown as one option.

Via Pincus: “The Toronto Raptors opted to keep Bruce Brown Jr. ($23 million) to trade him. Chris Boucher is also believed to be available. Neither is an exact fit for L.A., but they could be targeted in a complex multi-team deal.”

Brown was an integral piece to Denver’s 2023 title, and a player the Lakers got familiar with in the Western Conference Finals that year. If the price is right, Brown could be the type of connecting role player that elevates several Lakers lineups.  

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Joey Linn

JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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