Even with OG Anunoby's arrival paving the path for a near-perfect January, many have called for the New York Knicks to keep making trades until the clock reaches the deadline on Thursday. Those voices only amplified on Saturday after a frigid fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers led to the end of the Knicks' nine-game winning streak.
If the Knicks do make a deal, fans appear to be better off assuming it won't be for current Toronto Raptor Bruce Brown: while Brown's propensity to be a difference maker on both side of the ball makes him seemingly perfect for a Tom Thibodeau set-up, a report from Matt Moore of Action Network hints that the team is searching for upgrades elsewhere.
'(T)he Knicks continue to be mentioned as a potential landing spot, but New York has been seeking bigger deals," Moore wrote. "Brown might wind up being the "Plan B or C" for the Knicks, an outside source suggested."
Brown could've helped the Knicks avoid their sour fate on Saturday, which saw them get outscored 33-19 in the final period en route to a 113-105 defeat.
Formerly of the Brooklyn Nets, Brown has made a name for himself on defense but was also averaging a career-best 12.1 points a game with the Indiana Pacers before he was sent north in the deal that acquired Pascal Siakam on Jan. 17. Brown, a member of last year's championship-winning group in Denver, is expected to be part of the Raptors' continued purge that previously sent Anunoby to the Knicks.
Brown has been mum on his preferences but labeled himself a perfect fit for a Thibodeau-led team when the Raptors visited Madison Square Garden on Jan. 20.
“I play extremely hard on both ends of the floor. I can do just about whatever (Thibodeau) needs me to do," Brown said in a report from Jared Schwartz of the New York Post. "I play extremely hard. I would think (I’m) the type of player that he likes. “Every time we play Thibs I go up to him and shake his hand, just because of what he’s done. (I have) nothing but respect for Thibs.”
The Knicks (32-18) have one more game before the deadline as they'll host the Memphis Grizzlies at MSG on Tuesday night (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).
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