The Raptors are reportedly going to exercise Bruce Brown’s team option and use him as a trade piece for a bigger star.
Bruce Brown could be on a new team next season, if reports are to be believed. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype is reporting that the Raptors are looking to exercise Brown’s $23 million team option and use him as a trade asset in the upcoming offseason.
Brown would be a valuable asset for the Raptors, who are looking to build a solid team around young All-Star forward Scottie Barnes. Scotto also reported that the team will be looking to sign Barnes to a contract extension during this offseason. It is clearer than ever that the Raptors see Barnes as the future of their franchise.
Bruce Brown signed a two-year deal with the Pacers last offseason, off the back of him winning an NBA championship with the Nuggets. The Pacers would then trade him to the Raptors in a deal that saw the Pacers land Pascal Siakam. Brown struggled to make a major impact with the Raptors, as they missed the playoffs entirely this year.
Several teams could take a significant interest in Brown, as he has shown how valuable he can be to a championship roster. And at $23 million, he is not a particularly expensive contract, which would allow teams to acquire him without having to bend over backward to fit under the salary cap.
Scotto didn’t identify any potential suitors for Brown in the offseason. The Nuggets would love to have him back, but they will have major roster changes to make, with players like Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. having major contract years coming up.
Where Will Bruce Brown Play Next Season?
Perhaps a team like the Mavericks or the Knicks could target Bruce Brown, as they have shown interest in him in the past. Brown would fit their needs well and could be the missing piece on a championship roster. However, there will be concerns about his dip in form recently.
In his championship-winning season with the Nuggets, Brown averaged 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. His numbers took a dip the following year, as he averaged 10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 0.9 steals. Some can attribute this to him moving teams midway through the season. But teams will be wary about trading for Brown after a relative downturn in performances.
Brown has shown that he can play next to superstars in a complementary role. Not just with the Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic, but also from his time with the Nets, where he played a supporting role alongside Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden before the team blew it all up.
Despite being a second-round draft pick in 2018, Brown has shown that he can be a valuable asset to a championship team. He provides valuable scoring off the bench and plays hard on both ends of the court. There will surely be a market for him, but the Raptors may try to inflate his value in order to get a good return for him.
Where will Bruce Brown end up this offseason? The trade market looks to be an interesting one this year, so stay tuned to Fadeaway World for all the latest updates on the trade front.
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