Our exit interview series on the 2024 Clippers continues with a look at first-round rookie Kobe Brown.
Basic Information
Height: 6’7
Weight: 250 pounds
Position: Forward
Age: 24
Years in NBA: 1
Key Stats: 2.0 points and 1.4 rebounds in 9.0 minutes across 44 games played on 41.1/29.2/50 shooting splits.
Expectations
There wasn’t much expectation placed on Kobe Brown coming into the 2023-24 season. As a late first round pick on a veteran team hoping to contend for a championship, the G League was always going to be where Brown spent most of his rookie season. However, Brown was one of the older players in the draft and thus was seen as being a little more NBA ready than many of his peers.
Reality
Sure enough, Brown spent a good portion of the 2023-24 season playing for the Ontario Clippers in the G League. He had a few big performances there including a triple-double in January.
But throughout the season, Brown did receive periodic playing time with the big club. He showed the ability to be a solid floor-spacing power forward who could hit the glass and play defense. Essentially, he was what P.J. Tucker was supposed to be, albeit in limited minutes
There were definitely times where Brown looked lost, but that’s to be expected for a rookie. He has an NBA skill-set and the makings of a solid rotation player. Perhaps the most noticeable and surprising aspect of Brown’s game was his playmaking. He was able to showcase that a little more while in the G League.
Future with Clippers
Brown is on his rookie scale contract and thus the Clippers should have him on the roster for the next few seasons. With a strong offseason and summer league appearance, there’s no reason to think that Brown shouldn’t be in the main rotation next season.
The Clippers have had a few young players on the end of the bench the past few seasons who have been unable to get playing time. One of the team’s most pressing needs was to get younger and more athletic. Brown has the size and skill to be the primary backup power forward. If nothing else, he should be ahead of Tucker on the depth chart to start 2024-25.
