Pacers' Kobe Brown Opens Up About Returning to Indiana

Entering the 2026 NBA offseason, there were questions about the future of Kobe Brown. The Indiana Pacers, who acquired him as part of the Ivica Zubac trade, clearly wanted to re-sign him, but were unsure if they would be able to do so.

Due to limited financial flexibility, it seemed likely that Brown could land a standard contract somewhere else. However, the team found some luck.

When all was said and done, the Pacers were able to bring Brown back on a two-way deal.

Brown ended up playing in 27 games and making 10 starts following his trade to Indiana. He played well during that short stint.

He averaged 9.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and two assists per game, while shooting 50.3 percent from the floor and 43.3 percent from the three-point line.

Following his decision to return to the Pacers on a two-way deal, Brown opened up about why he chose to stick around in Indiana.

“I definitely wanted to come back from the jump,” Brown said. “It’s good to be back with the guys, with the program, the staff. I’m happy to be here.”

In addition, Brown did admit that he would have preferred a standard contract in free agency. That being said, he felt in his gut that coming back with the Pacers was the right decision.

“Standard [contract] is always the goal,” Brown said. “But honestly… something in my gut just told me I needed to come back to Indy. And I really wanted to be here. I loved it the last two months I was there.”

Head coach Rick Carlisle also spoke out with his thoughts about the young wing last year.

“[I] like his versatility,” Carlisle said. “Moves his feet well. Has a rugged body. His rebounding is very good. Love the way he’s shooting the ball right now.”

Finally, Brown opened up about where he's trying to improve entering his first full season with the team.

“Just keep getting familiar with the system. I think I took strides. I got better at it. The more I played, the more I was around during the season, that got better and better,” Brown said. “I’m playing in it, and I’m growing in the system.[The offseason will] be good.”

At the end of the day, there is no guarantee that Brown will be able to carve out playing time for himself during the upcoming 2026-27 NBA season. There are quite a few players on the wing who will be vying for those minutes.

Despite that fact, the Pacers have always been good at developing talent. Another year with Indiana should help Brown improve his game and prepare himself for another opportunity to earn a standard contract next offseason.

Whether he ends up sticking with the Pacers past the upcoming season or not, he's bought in with Indiana and has a chance to work his way into playing time.