A fan-favorite ex-Nugget wants to be back in the playoffs, and Denver could be the right spot

The Denver Nuggets had an old friend in the building for Game 2 against the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night, and the 2023 NBA Champion hinted that he would be open to a return to Denver

BY TRENT FINNEGAN

Apr 22, 2025, 9:22 AM

Follow on Google News

Watch: |

The Denver Nuggets took a tough loss on the chin on Monday night as they gave up home-court advantage in a 105-102 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Denver struggled with mental mistakes down the stretch, and didn’t get a whole lot from their bench throughout the game, besides the efforts of Russell Westbrook.

A familiar face who was a valuable piece off the bench for the 2023 title run made his way to Ball Arena on Monday, and made sure to be as involved as someone who’s not on the team is allowed to be throughout the back-and-forth showdown.

Look who dropped by 🤠 pic.twitter.com/J4BKa1GnGf

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) April 22, 2025

Bruce Brown, decked out in his Denver-esque cowboy gear, wasn’t just at Ball Arena to watch some hoops. He made sure to send some messages during his time in Denver.

I miss playoff basketball

— Bruce Brown (@BruceBrown11) April 22, 2025

Since leaving the Nuggets in free agency in the summer after Denver won its first championship in franchise history, Brown hasn’t played in a playoff game. He signed a two-year, $45 million contract with the Indiana Pacers that offseason, but was traded to the Toronto Raptors leading up to the in 2024 in a massive package for Pascal Siakam. Brown then spent just over a year up north of the border before getting dealt in another package for an All-Star, this time being to New Orleans for Brandon Ingram.

During his lone season in Denver, Brown averaged a career-high in points per game (11.5) as the sixth-man on the roster. In the playoffs, he had a slight jump up to 12 points per game, highlighted by two 20-point performances, including Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

Brown is a free agent heading into this offseason, and most likely won’t command a deal of similar value to the one that drew him out of the Mile High City two years ago. Denver isn’t in a great situation salary cap-wise, as former general manager Calvin Booth was handing out irresponsible contracts left and right over the past few offseason. If the Nuggets manage to scrounge up an offer to send to Brown’s camp, the last thing he’s going to do is turn a cold shoulder.

“I’m a free agent. So, if that opportunity presents itself, I’ll look over it, but you never know,” Brown said in an interview during the game Monday.

“I miss playing here.”

Brown receiving a standing ovation when he was shown on the Jumbotron at Ball Arena, with thousands of fans shouting for him to make a return to Denver. He talked about how much he loves the Denver fans in his interview, and the fans made sure to reciprocate that same love.

The love that Brown showed wasn’t just towards the fans and the city. He had to spread some of the wealth to his teammates as well, especially after a gut-wrenching loss in which the Nuggets had so many opportunities down the stretch to seal the deal.

Bruce Brown is currently in the Nuggets locker room, cheering up his former teammates.

— Jake Shapiro (@Shapalicious) April 22, 2025

Brown was dishing out hints left and right that he would be open to a return to Denver so he could play alongside Nikola Jokic one more time. When the Nuggets hire a new general manager in the offseason, will that person do what it takes to bring Brucey B back?