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NBA Rumors: Lakers eyeing Bruce Brown; Cavs interested in troubled prolific scorer?

By Michael Saenz

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 20: Bruce Brown #11 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates after making a three point basket during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in game three of the Western Conference Finals at Crypto.com Arena on May 20, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 20: Bruce Brown #11 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates after making a three point basket during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in game three of the Western Conference Finals at Crypto.com Arena on May 20, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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NBA Rumors: The Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers are both eyeing a move for difference-making wings. 

Heading into the start of NBA Free Agency, it’s expected that both the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers will be looking for help on the wing. After petering out in the NBA Playoffs, at least in part due to the lack of two-way wing contributors, it’s a need that both teams are set to prioritize at some point during free agency.

The Lakers lost in the Western Conference Finals to the Denver Nuggets who overwhelmed every opponent in this year’s playoffs with their unreal depth. The unrelenting attack of the Nuggets was something the Lakers could not overcome.

Against the New York Knicks in the first round of their playoff series, it was evident that the Cavs were one wing short. In many ways, Cleveland’s refusal to pursue Josh Hart and New York’s willingness to acquire him was the difference between the two teams.

Now, the Cavs and Lakers are prepared to solidify their wing depth.

The Lakers, Cavs need to improve their depth in free agency

According to a recent report, one wing player that the Lakers could be interested in adding this offseason is Bruce Brown. Ironically, Brown was part of the Nuggets’ depth that the Lakers were no match for. Brown is coming off the best season of his career thus far in which he averaged 12 points and four rebounds on 36 percent shooting from 3-point range.

After opting out of the final year of his contract with the Nuggets, Brown is looking to cash in on his career year in Denver. Could the Lakers afford him remains to be seen, but he’s certainly a player that will be on the team’s radar.

The Cavs, as they attempt to add another wing, could be interested in troubled small forward Miles Bridges. After he sat out last season and was officially suspended by the league, the expectation is that he’ll make his return to the NBA at some point this season.

Bridges was suspended for 30 games after pleading no contest to a felony domestic violence charge in November. Being credited for missing 20 games after sitting out this past season, Bridges will only have to miss 10 games (if he signs with a team) to start this season.

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Before his legal troubles, Bridges averaged 20 points, seven rebounds, and four assists per game on 49 percent shooting from the field. But even with his troubled status, as a restricted free agent, he could be difficult to pry away from the Charlotte Hornets who are also expected to re-sign Bridges in free agency.

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