A lot of talk has been about Ivica Zubac and what he will bring to the Indiana Pacers when he makes his debut with the team (and rightfully so). But in all that talk, many are overlooking Kobe Brown, who the Pacers also acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers in that trade. And in his first game with the team, Brown proved that he could be more than just a throw-in.
In Indiana's win against the New York Knicks on Tuesday, the 26-year-old recorded eight points on 3-for-4 shooting, six rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 19 minutes. And for those who care, he led the game in +/- with 13.
He didn't necessarily blow anybody away, but he showed a little bit of everything in his Pacers debut, and it's clear that he can truly provide some value.
After the game, head coach Rick Carlisle spoke about Brown's first game with the Pacers and spoke highly of what he brings to the table.
"He played great," Carlisle said about Brown. "He was the biggest plus on the team. He's an interesting player. This is the first time I've really studied him playing. He does a lot of good things. He's a basketball player. He had a couple incredible offensive rebounds, so that's a skill that he brings to the table. He hit an outside shot. He made a drive. He's got good feel. This is a great opportunity for him coming to us at this particular point in time."
Brown was mostly out of the Clippers' rotation by the time of the trade. Before Tuesday's game, he logged double-digit minutes just once in 2026 and was often a DNP. However, it looks like he's going to have an opportunity to break out in Indiana. And given the team's track record, there are reasons he could blossom and turn into a legitimate asset.
Kobe Brown could be the Pacers' next breakout player
Almost everybody on the current roster fits the bill as someone who was overlooked or a castaway before finding their groove in Indiana.
The Sacramento Kings moved on from Tyrese Haliburton in just his second season to build around De'Aaron Fox. Andrew Nembhard was a second-round draft pick. Aaron Nesmith was just a throw-in to the Malcolm Brogdon trade with the Boston Celtics in 2022. The Pacers got Obi Toppin for two second-round picks.
And that's just part of it.
Indiana has done a fantastic job of getting the most out of any player who joins the team. A lot of it has to do with the team's elite coaching staff and front office, but it's also about the player's willingness to buy into the system. And very (very) early on, it seems like Brown could be next on that list.