He’s Back! Denver Nuggets sign Bruce Brown again

Bruce Brown is returning to the Denver Nuggets, signing a one-year deal to rejoin the team he won the 2023 NBA championship

BY JAKE SHAPIRO

Jun 30, 2025, 5:21 PM Updated: 5:51 pm

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Bruce Brown is returning to the Denver Nuggets, signing a one-year deal for the veteran minimum to rejoin the team he won the 2023 NBA championship with, according to ESPN. The contract comes just minutes after the Nuggets traded Michael Porter Jr. to Brooklyn for Cam Johnson.

Brown spent one season in Denver, 2022-23, playing a key role as a versatile reserve. He left soon after the championship parade, signing with the Indiana Pacers a hefty $45 million contract over two years. They used him to take a step forward as they went on two straight deep playoff runs. Unlike the Nuggets, who used him on the court, the Pacers used his salary to trade for All-Star Pascal Siakam. The Toronto Raptors then traded him for All-Star Brandon Ingram. Brown now leaves the New Orleans Pelicans as his contract wraps up. He made 75% of his career earnings on his most recent deal, which the Nuggets could not match.

Brown, about to turn 29, hasn’t been as good the last two seasons as he was in his lone year at a Mile High. Between his three cities and two years, Brown averaged 9.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 46% from the field and 33% from distance over 108 games.

In Denver the first time, Brown played 80 games as a do-it-all bench player — shifting between backup point guard, small-ball power forward and 3-and-d wing. His career season was 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 48% from the field and 36% from deep. Brown was relied on in the playoffs, stepping up 12 points, four rebounds and two assists a game over Denver’s 20 contests, where he shot 51% from the field.

Brown added a brash swagger to the Nuggets. The former Miami Hurricane was rugged, rubbed the opponents and provided clutch for Denver. After smack-talking the Lakers through a sweep, Brown’s last road playoff contest was Game 4 of the Finals, where he poured in three triples and 21 points in Denver’s 108-95 win.

Brown comes back to fill a bunch of needs. The Nuggets had to add more depth, wanted more ball-handling, rim pressure, defense and shooting. Brown can do many of those things and chemistry won’t be a question. He’ll fill a role he once occupied and has since been played by Reggie Jackson and Russell Westbrook. Not even the former MVP was as good off the bench for the Nuggets as Brown was, and fans in Denver will hope the same river can provide the same much-needed water twice.