Bobby Brown, a top free agent guard, is in talks with several NBA teams in need of a point guard, according to Shams Charania of RealGM (via Twitter). Brown’s Chinese team – the Dongguan Leopards – was recently bounced from the playoffs and he has returned to the United States in search of a deal.
Brown inked a three-year deal with Dongguan in May of 2014, though the pact was said to include NBA escape clauses. It’s not immediately clear if Brown has already triggered his out-clause. If he hasn’t, then an NBA team signing Brown might have to cut a check to the Chinese squad. At the time of the signing, our own Chuck Myron speculated that the buyout was likely under $600K, which would allow an NBA team to pay the buyout without the money counting against the cap. As a sought-after free agent, it would be surprising if Brown agreed to a deal with a prohibitive buyout clause.
Last month, the Cavs were said to have interest in Brown and the 30-year-old made no secret of his affinity for Cleveland.
“I will say this about Cleveland: How could anyone not want to play with LeBron [James]? First off, he is the best player in the league and second, you have a chance to be a part of a championship team,” Brown said. “Plus, playing in Europe, I was a big fan of [David] Blatt] and always wanted to play for him. Also, I have known [David Griffin] since I was in the draft and have always been a huge believer in him.”
Brown went undrafted out of Cal State Fullerton in 2007 but eventually found his way to the NBA, playing for four teams across two seasons. In 113 career games with the Kings, Wolves, New Orleans, and the Clippers, Brown averaged 5.1 PPG and 1.8 APG in 12.8 minutes per contest. He has not appeared in the NBA since 2009/10.