The Los Angeles Clippers have opted not to exercise the fourth-year rookie-scale option on Kobe Brown’s contract for the 2026/27 season, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
The decision, made public on October 30, 2025, positions the 25-year-old forward to reach unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2026, provided he remains on an NBA roster through the end of the 2025/26 campaign. Because the $4,792,058 option year was declined, the Clippers—or any team that acquires Brown before February’s trade deadline—cannot offer him a first-year salary higher than that figure in free agency.
Brown joined the league as the 30th overall pick in the 2023 draft after four seasons at Missouri. He is scheduled to earn $2,654,880 in 2025/26, his third NBA season.
Playing time in Los Angeles has been limited: Brown has appeared in 84 games over two-plus years, averaging 7.9 minutes. Through three contests this fall, his floor time sits at 4.7 minutes per game. The 6’7″ combo forward has seen more extensive action in the G League, averaging 21.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.7 steals in 33.3 minutes over six games with the San Diego Clippers during the 2024/25 season, while shooting 47.4% from the field, 36.6% from three and 80.0% at the line.
The move becomes part of this year’s series of rookie-scale option determinations across the NBA.
Source: HoopsRumors
