​INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers have decided to bring back forward Kobe Brown on a two-way contract. Brown spent the final two months of the 2025-26 season with the Pacers after being traded to Indiana as part of the deal that sent Ivica Zubac to the franchise. Eligible for a two-way deal due to having fewer than four years of NBA service, Brown is entering his third pro season. The Los Angeles Clippers declined the fourth year of his rookie-scale contract last summer, making him a free agent this offseason.
The Pacers are limited in what they can pay Brown, but salary-cap constraints aren’t a concern with two-way deals. These arrangements carry no cap hit for teams and pay players a salary equal to half of the zero-years-of-service minimum. For Brown, that works out to roughly $675,000 in earnings. Because Brown will reach four years of service during this contract, the agreement must be limited to one year by rule. He will hit free agency in 2027, but the deal will grant Indiana full Bird Rights on Brown’s contract next offseason if he completes the full season with the team.
Last season, Brown averaged 9.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game for the Pacers, a notable improvement from his production with the Clippers. He found his footing in Indiana, crediting the team’s style of play for helping him fit in. “Just the style of play. The ball never stops moving… I just feel like it’s hard not to fit in here. Everything’s random, nothing’s scripted,” Brown said, describing how the Pacers’ up-tempo system suited him.
Brown’s rebounding ability stood out for a player of his size, and the Pacers will now benefit from that hustle with a two-way return. The two-way contract allows him to split time between the Pacers and their G League affiliate, the Noblesville Boom. As a 2023 first-round pick, Brown has development room, and the G League can provide valuable reps, even as he demonstrated real NBA skill last season that could be useful in clutch situations for Indiana.
While Brown is still relatively inexperienced, he turns 27 in the upcoming season. That places him on the older side for a two-way signee, but his potential NBA impact could exceed that of a typical two-way player. The Pacers, who aim to contend this season, are likely comfortable with that trade-off as they look to maximize their rotation and bench impact.
Teams are allowed to carry up to three players on two-way deals simultaneously. Once Brown signs his pact, Indiana will have three two-way players: Brown, Taelon Peter, and Ethan Thompson. The club also plans to sign rookie Braden Smith to a two-way contract and has issued a two-way qualifying offer to wing Jalen Slawson. In the weeks ahead, including summer league play, Indiana will navigate multiple decisions regarding its two-way roster.
With 19 players in the mix, the Pacers will continue shaping the roster as they pursue a successful season.