The LA Clippers’ 2023 first-round pick, Kobe Brown, is now lost in a crowded rotation of veterans and superstars. He is only 25 years old, and there is still hope from the fan base that he will live up to the first-round hype, but going into his third year, it seems as if this season could be his last in red, white, and blue.
In two seasons as a Clipper, Brown has played in 84 games, averaging 2.0 points and 1.5 rebounds, while shooting 43.2% from the floor and 27.0% from three-point range.
These numbers only indicate that Brown is unproven, as the sample size is too small to see where his future is headed. Additionally, within the 84 games he has suited up for, Tyronn Lue has given him an average of 7.9 minutes.
That said, during the Clippers’ training camp, Law Murray of “The Athletic” got a chance to ask Lue a question on Brown’s expectations, and the answers given are puzzling, with the indication of a move that could occur at any point during the season.
Tyronn Lue wants consistency from Kobe Brown, and that will not be possible this season
In response to Law Murray’s question about Kobe Brown, Tyronn Lue explicitly stated what the young forward is excellent at, which is offensive rebounding. Brown is exceptional in that department, but Lue also added the principle of consistency in his answer, and that is where troubles may begin.
Asked Tyronn Lue about the young players on the roster and how they have been getting praise from the veterans this week
— Law Murray 🎃 (@LawMurrayTheNU) October 4, 2025
T. Lue mentioned Kobe Brown, Jordan Miller, and Yanic Konan Niederhauser having good days.
Asked about Brown's expectations this month/season as well pic.twitter.com/k1U26TVuSA
In the past, Brown has received several opportunities that he could have taken advantage of. On some occasions, he did, making multiple three-pointers and securing defensive stops, but overall, the former first-round pick did not show the coaching staff or fan base that he should be receiving the minutes as the LA Clippers’ backup power forward.
Furthermore, with Lue preaching on consistency from Brown, that simply will not happen this season. The Clippers have a number of veterans who will have priority over the Missouri product from the coaching staff, which opens up the possibility of a last resort: a trade at the deadline.
If success is brewing and things are looking good, Lawrence Frank will not make any trades at the deadline involving a rotational player. On the contrary, Brown, a player out of the rotation, could be dealt for a second-round pick, and this move would not be surprising, as he is in year three and the opportunity window in LA is getting more and more narrow by the season.