One-on-one with new Pacers forward Kobe Brown

NEW YORK – Kobe Brown is named after Kobe Bryant and rocks Bryant's jersey number 24. Basketball has been part of the story for the 26-year old forward from Alabama since birth, literally.

That story now has Brown with the Indiana Pacers, just his second-ever NBA team. The Missouri product and former first-round pick spent the first 2.5 seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Clippers before being moved to Indiana as a part of the trade with Ivica Zubac as the centerpiece.

Brown was surprised to be traded. But he went from a Clippers team on which he wasn't a priority to a Pacers one where more minutes could be coming his way, especially after a recent injury to Johnny Furphy. In fact, just a day after finally joining his new teammates, Brown was in the rotation for the blue and gold against the Knicks in Madison Square Garden.

Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle experienced something similar as a player in 1987, joining the Knicks just one day before scoring a career-high 21 points in his first game with New York. That, too, came in MSG.

Circle City Spin

The Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever, up close

Circle City SpinTony East

"In many cases, [getting thrown in a rotation with a new team] is a very liberating type of situation. I can speak from personal experience in this building," Carlisle recalled. "This is a great opportunity for [Brown]."

The young wing seized that opportunity with eight points and six rebounds. Postgame, Carlsile said he "played great". The next day, Carlisle provided more on the new Pacers wing. "He was the biggest plus on our team last night in an overtime game against a rival. In probably the most storied venue in all of basketball. It was impressive. He's a basketball player, he has really good feel. He can make plays. He hit a big three. His crashing was a factor last night. In conversations with one of their coaches, he said that he can take on matchups defensively, really all kinds of different positions, perimeter and big," he said. "With our situation as it is and Johnny Furphy being injured and we're down a wing player there. [Kobe] is a wing. So the opportunity is tremendous for him. From everything we see right now, I like him."

Later that night, Brown had four points and seven rebounds against the Brooklyn Nets. So far, his two games with the Pacers have been filled with production and winning. Before his debut with the team, he chatted with me one-on-one about being traded, his career, how he sees the Pacers, and much more.

Some questions have been edited for clarity and brevity.

Tony East: Take me through your whole week – when you found out about the trade, your reactions, and all that comes with it.

Kobe Brown: So I was at the facility in LA. We were lifting, getting a lift in, and one of the GMs came down and pulled me to the side and told me what was going on.

Tony East: Were you surprised at all to be moved?

Kobe Brown: Yes and no. I was surprised just because it was like right before 12 [the trade deadline]. So I had figured I wasn't going to get traded. But I'm not necessarily too surprised though, because it can happen to anybody.

Tony East: Ivica Zubac has been traded before. What's it been like going through this week with him around, traveling with you, showing you the ropes, and everything that comes with being traded?

Kobe Brown: That's been big for me. Me and Zu are already close. He was like my vet when I got into the league anyway three years ago. And we've just remained close for years. For us to be traded together, it was kind of ideal for us because at least we're already cool, super close. So it's been good. He's been giving me pointers, keeping me up and just keeping me in the right mindset.

Tony East: You guys landed in Indy [Tuesday the 10th], correct?

Kobe Brown: Two nights (Monday the 9th) ago in Indy.

Tony East: How chaotic has this time been? You had to fly here, get ready for the game, and all of those things quickly.

Kobe Brown: It was a lot. We flew to Indy, landed that night. Woke up, had to wake up at like 5 in the morning. Mind you, we have the three-hour difference, so it's like [two] in the morning. We had a bunch of medical stuff to do, and then we flew here. Got [to New York] last night, and now we're here.

Tony East: Today's been your rushed acclimation with the team. How's that been for you?

Kobe Brown: It's been good. It's a great group of guys. They made it really easy for me. A lot of great vets, and they're easy to work with. So it's been pretty cool.

Tony East: Just talking to Rick Carlisle earlier, he said he had a game where he got signed that day, played in MSG, and it was very freeing for him and he actually played pretty well. I don't know if he told you that story. What do you expect today to be like, the first game with a different team for you ever?

Kobe Brown: I really don't know what to expect honestly. I'm here to put my best foot forward, try to win, and just come out and play hard. That's all I can really do.

Tony East: Have you been able to study much of what this Pacers team does? What playbook experience have you even gotten to this point?

Kobe Brown: Yes, just from playing them in the past. Just knowing they're a fast team, a lot of random actions, and just want to get out and run. So that was pretty much what I knew. Obviously I know a little bit more now. But that was it.

Tony East: Do you have a relationship with anybody on the team?

Kobe Brown: No, I don't have a real close relationship. I knew of a couple guys, met them a couple times, but we weren't close or anything like that.

Tony East: How do you see the way you play fitting into how the Pacers play?

Kobe Brown: Just random basketball. Everyone can play positionless basketball. Everyone does everything, and I feel like I'm [suited] for that. So I just feel like I can just plug and play, and once I get the ropes and get a few games or time under my belt and spend more time with the guys, build some chemistry, I think it'll be good.

Tony East: We talked to Zubac earlier today. How do you see him fitting that style you just described?

Kobe Brown: At first I thought it was going to be weird. But seeing him today at shootaround, how coach Carlisle says how he's gonna use him, I can see it happening. I can see it working. I think we'll be really successful with it, and I think he'll thrive in it as well.

Tony East: You would know better than anybody because you said he's your vet. What do people not know about Zubac and the kind of guy he is?

Kobe Brown: He's a funny guy. Before I got to LA, everyone said he's like a bully. He's Croatian. He was always mean, serious. That's a front. He's not that tough – well, he's tough, but he's not what everybody thinks he is. So he's a good guy to be around for sure.

Tony East: What do you make of this situation that you're in now? You weren't playing a ton with the Clippers, but you could play quite a bit for this team down the stretch.

Kobe Brown: I'm grateful, for sure. Grateful to be in this position. I feel like this team is a great team. Obviously, they were just in the Finals last year and were so close to winning it. And for them to want me here is big. So I'm happy and excited to be here and be a part of it.

Tony East: What did you make of that Finals run and all the crazy games the Pacers played last year?

Kobe Brown: Man, it was crazy. I feel like if [Tyrese Haliburton] didn't get hurt, it would have been a different outcome for sure.

You can watch a full video of the interview below.

Thank you for reading. The Pacers practice later today and begin the post All-Star break portion of their 2025-26 season. Subscribe below for coverage of it all.