Former Alabama high school star surges into NBA free agency
The Lee-Huntsville alumnus blossomed after being traded from the Clippers to the Pacers during the 2025-26 season.
Olivia Bennett 
After a mid-season trade that revitalized his career, former Lee-Huntsville standout Kobe Brown is hitting NBA free agency with significant momentum. The Indiana Pacers forward wrapped up his third professional season on a high note, posting a career-best 20 points during an April 12 matchup against the Detroit Pistons.
A Breakout in Indiana
Brown’s transition from the Los Angeles Clippers to Indiana proved to be a major turning point. Acquired by the Pacers on Feb. 5 alongside center Ivica Zubac, Brown saw his production surge. In just 27 games with his new team, he nearly matched his total scoring output from his 118-game tenure in Los Angeles. During his time in Indiana, Brown averaged 9.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists across 24.7 minutes per game, proving he could handle a consistent rotation role.
Efficiency was the hallmark of his late-season improvement. Brown connected on 43.3 percent of his 3-pointers with the Pacers, a sharp climb from the 26.8 percent clip he recorded with the Clippers. By the end of the season, he ranked among an elite group of just 13 NBA players who maintained such high-volume, high-accuracy shooting over the final 30 games.
Looking Ahead
As the league nears the end of its championship series between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, Brown finds himself as an unrestricted free agent. Reflecting on his growth, Brown noted that becoming fully immersed in the team's system helped him shed his early-season hesitation. "Being able to be on the floor and just be involved, like, it was really great, and I don’t take it for granted," he said.
Indiana faces a complex offseason after finishing the 2025-26 campaign with a 19-63 record. With the team looking to rebound alongside the return of All-Star Tyrese Haliburton, Brown's status remains a question mark. Due to a previous trade deal that sent multiple draft picks to the Clippers, the Pacers have limited roster flexibility. While the franchise can offer him up to $4.79 million for the upcoming season, interested teams will be closely watching to see if he remains in Indiana.
Regardless of his landing spot, the Alabama native—who was named the 2018 Class 5A Player of the Year—has firmly established himself as a player with a high upside as he enters this crucial free agency period.
