Toronto Raptors Keeping Bruce Brown

After signing with the team last summer, the Indiana Pacers traded Brown to the Raptors in a package for Pascal Siakam in January.

Immediately following the trade, reports suggested that the Raptors planned on flipping Brown, per Yossi Gozlan:

Bruce Brown is a prime candidate to get rerouted in another trade. He has a $23 million team option that would need to be declined for the Toronto Raptors to utilize their $32 million in cap space this summer. Most teams only need to send out $14.5 million to match for him.

In 10 games with the Raptors, Brown is averaging 9.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.

Heading into the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline, Brown’s name was a popular one showing up in trade rumors. Brown had been linked to many teams looking to make a push in the second half of the season. These teams include the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Dallas Mavericks.

NBA News: Toronto Raptors Keeping Bruce Brown

What Bruce Brown Brings to the Raptors

Brown is a reliable, well-rounded scorer. Additionally, his versatility on both sides of the floor makes him an especially unique player. As per his former teammate, Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets head coach, Mike Malone likens Brown to a “Swiss Army knife“:

Coach [Michael Malone] called him the Swiss Army knife — I think that’s spot-on,” star Nuggets guard Jamal Murray said. “He can bring it up. He can get to the rim. He can shoot it enough. He can defend their best player. Run in transition. “Put him where you [need] him kind of guy.”

Additionally, Brown is a player who can score double-digits and play good defense on any given night. Plus, as a member of the Nuggets, Brown was an important part of their championship team in 2023. Having championship experience and knowing what it takes to win it all is always valuable in the NBA.

Why the Raptors Were Expected to Trade Bruce Brown

Though he is a solid player, Brown does not excel at anything. Additionally, Brown excels in a complementary role on a contending team. The 18-33 Raptors do not fit that mold this year. Plus, Brown was a popular trade candidate. Even from the beginning, it seemed highly unlikely the Raptors were going to keep the 27-year-old past this season. Trading him for assets in return would have likely been the right decision for the team to capitalize on his trade market.

Additionally, other Raptors players along with Brown reportedly became available:

Multiple league sources have confirmed the obvious, the Raptors appear to be open for business, and outside of Scottie Barnes and the two former Knicks (Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett), everything and everyone is on the table.

Furthermore, Brown does not fit Toronto’s timeline.

Even with all that said, Toronto will hold on to the former NBA champion beyond the deadline.

Brown will continue bringing his versatility and championship experience to the Raptors.