The throw-in piece to the Ivica Zubac trade that lured a haul to the LA Clippers was Kobe Brown. Moving him was inevitable, as the Clippers had no space for him in the rotation, yet throughout his first two games for the Indiana Pacers, his playing time has risen through the roof, indicating a prominent new role head coach Rick Carlisle has granted him.
In a 19-minute debut for Indiana, the former first-round pick posted eight points and six boards, shooting 3-4 from the field. The very next night, on the tail end of a back-to-back, he started for the first time in his career.
Thus, the Pacers clearly see something special in him that the Clippers might not have. Their front office was fond of the idea of his talents, gold, blue, and white, rather than taking on another salary-filler LA had to offer.
The Indiana Pacers may see Kobe Brown in their future
Fans of the LA Clippers never thought they would see the day Kobe Brown’s name would be on a starting lineup for an NBA team. They were convinced Brown was a draft bust, given how the last three years have panned out.
However, the Indiana Pacers are smart for giving Brown a legit shot to contribute at the earliest opportunity. They are aware of the Clippers’ flawed system for expanding their youth and want a full assessment of whether he was held back this entire time.
Furthermore, for Brown, so far, everything is looking good. His jumper appears smooth with a clean release, his defense is evident, and he has been boxing out tirelessly in the paint. Overall, he helped the Pacers win two in a row against Eastern Conference rivals, including a win over the third-seeded New York Knicks.
Given that he produced a strong, lasting impression, Brown’s responsibilities will only rise, or at worst, stay right where they are. This is everything he needs, as the former Missouri Tiger is looking to cash in on a fair payday in his second NBA contract.
Assuming the 26-year-old continues to shine in his new role, why would the Pacers not do their best to keep him around in the future? He is six-foot-seven, perfect at the four spot, and will fit like a glove next to Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and Ivica Zubac as an effective floor-spacer. If that were not enough, Brown would likely be willing to accept a long-term, team-friendly deal.
That said, Brown struck gold right away in Indiana. Clippers fans are shocked at how quickly the turn of events occurred, yet, in the event he lives up to his first-round hype on another team, LA’s front office must thoroughly figure out what the problem is within the developmental department.