9 Free Agents that could follow Ime Udoka to the Houston Rockets

Bruce Brown, player option

The connection: Ime Udoka was on Brooklyn Nets coaching staff during 2020-21 season

Bruce Brown has been one of the most overlooked players in the success of the Denver Nuggets this season. He's been a key part of the team's bench unit, averaging 11 points and four rebounds per game on 36 percent shooting from 3-point range this season. And he's carried that over into the playoffs for the team.

Over the course of his young career, Brown has played an impactful role at every stop. Even though he was a second-round pick, Brown has carved out a nice role for himself in the NBA. Considering that he's in the midst of the best season of his career thus far, it's hard to imagine him not declining his player option for next season and rolling the dice on securing the first big payday of his career.

Brown is the type of do-it-all glue player that every team needs. And if the Rockets are going to be looking to make a jump next season, he's the exact type of winning player that would help the team accomplish what they want. Plus, Brown is still just 26-years-old and may not have even reached the ceiling of his potential.

As a non-bird rights player, the Nuggets may not be able to afford Brown this summer. If that does end up being the case, the Rockets are a team that should keep that option option.