NBA Rumors: Amidst buzz about the Lakers and Knicks,Raptors could not trade one of its own before deadline.
Bruce Brown Jr. will remain with the Toronto Raptors in an unexpected development.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski revealed that Brown will play out the rest of the season in The Six, ending weeks of speculation that the Toronto Raptors might move the seasoned guard before the NBA’s Thursday deadline.
Wojnarowski Adrian (adrian@wojespn)
The Raptors have a ton of alternatives in the offseason thanks to Brown’s $23 million team option on his 2024–2025 deal. (https://t.co/jluGqyTsNY)This URL is: https://t.co/jluGqyTsNY
Prior to the deadline, teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks were rumored to be interested in signing Brown. However, the veteran was asking a high price, with Toronto reportedly seeking at least a first-round selection in return, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
After being acquired from the Indiana Pacers in the Pascal Siakam trade, Brown appeared to be a top trade candidate. Signed in July, his two-year, $45 million contract was a great asset around which a rebuilding team might base a trade.
He might be employed as a contributor for the 2024–25 season or as a contract that expires this season because the second year of the deal is a team option.
Brown was a desirable trade asset because of his financial flexibility, particularly for the Raptors, who had recently parted ways with Siakam and OG Anunoby and were beginning a gradual rebuild.
Brown has been moving around a lot since the end of the previous season, but this does not mean he can’t contribute to a team that is trying to make the playoffs. With an average of 11.5 points per game on 47.3 percent shooting from the field, the 27-year-old is a potent scorer.
In addition to being a very adaptable defender, Brown also played every position on the floor at one point in his career, including small-ball five with the Brooklyn Nets. His stature and strength allow him to play at least three different spots on defense.
The Raptors found it easy to defend Brown’s retention because of those attributes. Considering that Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett have been playing effectively alongside Scottie Barnes since being acquired from the New York Knicks, they haven’t committed to a complete rebuild.
Brown’s youth—he is only 27 years old—also helps; several more seasons of productive play should be in store for him.
Although the Raptors are unlikely to contend for a postseason berth this year, they have positioned themselves to be a compelling Eastern Conference rival in the future.
