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Bruce Brown is well aware of the trade deadline noise.
The 28-year-old was at the center of trade discussions last season and now he is once again at the forefront of trade rumors ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline.
Brown is coming off his two best games of the season. He put up a season-high 17 points against the Milwaukee Bucks on Jan. 17. He then followed that up with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in a Toronto Raptors’ victory over the Orlando Magic on Jan. 21.
After the game, Brown talked about all of the trade deadline chatter that surrounds him, via TSN’s Josh Lewenberg:
“Last year was super tough. I was saying I didn’t care about it but I did… But now it’s part of the business…I knew at some point I was going to face this again…If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, I’m happy to be here.”
Since Brown arrived in Toronto, the Raptors have tried moving him. The Raptors were reportedly looking for a first-round pick for Brown at last season’s trade deadline but did not find a deal. They held onto to Brown and exercised his $23 million team option this past summer.
The Raptors are motivated to move Brown, however, if they can’t trade him, he could be a buyout candidate, per Jake Fischer.
The other option is the Raptors holding onto Brown until the summer and exploring sign-and-trade scenarios.
All arrows point to Brown’s departure from the Raptors. He’s a veteran piece that does not make sense for the Raptors rebuilding timeline. However, as Brown has proven in his last few outings, he still has a lot left in the tank and can be a valuable piece on a contender looking to make a run.
3 takeaways from Raptors’ comeback win against Magic
The Toronto Raptors erased a 21-point deficit to defeat the Orlando Magic 109-93.
Here are 3 takeaways from the game.
More must-reads:
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Charlotte Hornets 2025-26 Rotation Breakdown
The 2025-26 Charlotte Hornets still have decisions to make for their rotation and overall roster. With Antonio Reeves officially signed to a two-way deal and Damion Baugh released, the roster still has crucial choices to make. New head coach Charles Lee faced a tough first year, navigating injuries and relying heavily on players who might not have seen the floor under normal circumstances. Still, Lee laid a foundation of structure and accountability that could serve this team well moving forward. With training camp on the horizon, the biggest question looms: Who will crack the rotation? Who should start, come off the bench, or provide a spark in key moments? Let’s break it down. The Five Hornets Anchoring Charlotte’s 2025-26 Rotation PG: LaMelo Ball SG: Josh Green SF: Brandon Miller PF: Miles Bridges C: Mason Plumlee On paper, this starting five brings both intrigue and uncertainty. The biggest question surrounds Miles Bridges and whether he can consistently be the team’s third scoring option. Mason Plumlee returns to Charlotte with the expectation of providing steady minutes at center. His screen-setting and underrated playmaking should help stabilize the offense. Josh Green adds perimeter defense and reliable outside shooting, knocking down 39% of his threes last season. But the spotlight remains on LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. For Ball, it’s all about staying on the court. When healthy, he’s shown the skill and creativity to be one of the league’s top point guards, but injuries have limited him to just 69 games over the past two seasons. As for Miller, the Hornets hope he’s ready to leap. Before a wrist injury cut his rookie season short, he was averaging 21.0 points over a 27-game stretch and looking more and more like a future star. If he picks up where he left off, Miller could emerge as Charlotte’s go-to scorer. The Bench Mob Is Buzzing Collin Sexton Spencer Dinwiddie Moussa Diabate Kon Knueppel Grant Williams One of the potential strengths of this Hornets rotation lies in its bench depth. Collin Sexton is expected to anchor the second unit. While he’s struggled with consistency at times, he’s been a proven bucket-getter since entering the league in 2018 and brings much-needed shot creation. Spencer Dinwiddie brings veteran stability to Charlotte’s backcourt and should thrive alongside Sexton as a secondary playmaker and scorer. Moussa Diabaté was one of last season’s pleasant surprises, establishing himself as a high-energy big with elite offensive rebounding and rim protection. His hustle and motor could be key in second-unit minutes. Grant Williams, returning from an ACL injury, will be counted on for veteran toughness, defensive versatility, and leadership. Meanwhile, rookie Kon Knueppel brings shooting, size, and positional flexibility — and could carve out a role early if his game translates quickly. The Raw Spark Tre Mann Tidjane Salaun Liam McNeeley Drafted sixth overall in 2024, Tidjane Salaün is still a work in progress. While he struggled to find consistency in his rookie season, the Hornets remain committed to his development. Year two will focus on growth, patience, and determining if he can evolve into a long-term part of the puzzle. Liam McNeeley turned heads in the Summer League with his all-around game, averaging 18.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists across two games. While still raw, McNeeley’s offensive instincts and feel for the game suggest he could provide a spark if given an opportunity during the season. Tre Mann, who was Charlotte’s top-scoring option off the bench last season before a back injury, will have to earn his chance to play after the acquisition of Sexton. With less pressure to carry the load, he can thrive as a complementary scoring threat when the team lacks it. Developmental Ryan Kalkbrenner Sion James KJ Simpson (Two-Way) Antonio Reeves (Two-Way) Drew Peterson (Two-Way) The Hornets have several young players stashed for development, each offering a unique skill set the team hopes to cultivate over time. Ryan Kalkbrenner brings size and interior presence. While he may not see significant minutes right away, his rim protection and shot-blocking make him a long-term project worth monitoring. Sion James offers defensive versatility and positional flexibility as a 6’6” guard/wing. He’ll need to improve offensively to stick, but his physical tools are intriguing. On two-way contracts, the Hornets have KJ Simpson, Reeves, and Drew Peterson. Simpson is an explosive combo guard with scoring upside and playmaking flashes. Reeves is a polished shot-maker who could provide instant offense if called upon. Peterson is more of a long-term swing, but his athleticism and energy give the Hornets another young piece to mold. Possible Chopping Block Nick Smith Jr. Pat Connaughton Daquan Jeffries The Hornets face tough decisions as they trim their roster, and a few players could be on the chopping block. Nick Smith Jr. has yet to establish consistent production, making his spot uncertain. Veteran Pat Connaughton may be edged out as the team leans toward youth and flexibility. DaQuan Jeffries, fighting for a roster spot amid deep wing depth, faces an uphill battle to secure his place. In Conclusion The Hornets enter the 2025–26 season with a rotation of promise, questions, and pressure. With a retooled roster, a healthy LaMelo Ball, and young talent ready to emerge, there’s real potential for growth. But sorting out the rotation, balancing development with competitiveness, and trimming the roster will be key challenges in the weeks ahead. Training camp will reveal a lot — and for this Hornets squad, every spot will be earned.
Five biggest losers from the 2025 MLB trade deadline
The 2025 Major League Baseball trade deadline was 6 p.m. ET on Thursday. Some teams managed to get better in either a short-term or long-term outlook. Other teams did not. We've already gone over the five biggest winners, which featured some surprising teams. Here we are focusing on the five teams that were the biggest losers. Minnesota Twins The good news for Twins fans is the team did not trade outfielder Byron Buxton or starting pitcher Joe Ryan. The bad news for Twins fans is the team traded pretty much everybody else. The worst news is the Twins have pretty much sabotaged any goodwill the team had built up in recent years, including their 2023 trip to the American League Division Series. Since then the Twins collapsed late last season, did very little in the offseason and then completely gutted the roster over the past two weeks, including a straight salary-dump trade of Carlos Correa to the Houston Astros, his former team. This is going to be a long, slow climb back to the top. Pittsburgh Pirates The Pirates had a chance to have a potentially impactful trade deadline with some intriguing trade chips in what had become a seller's market. They ended up trading closer David Bednar, third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes, starting pitcher Bailey Falter and relief pitcher Caleb Ferguson. They held on to pending free agents Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Tommy Pham and Andrew Heaney. What's so baffling about the trades they did make is that they gave up useful, productive players with years of team control still remaining, did not get a single highly-ranked prospect back in return and kept the players that are going to leave for nothing. The only winner here is owner Bob Nutting's bank account for all of the money he saved in the future by dumping Hayes' contract and potential arbitration years from Bednar and Falter. Chicago Cubs After paying a steep price to get outfielder Kyle Tucker in the offseason everybody in Chicago knew the clock was ticking on the Cubs to build a winner around him. He is a free agent after this season and seems determined to hit the open market for the highest bidder. Even though the Cubs have emerged as a contender, it was pretty clear as the season has gone on that they needed at least one more starting pitcher. They did not get one, and instead only added a utility infielder (Willi Castro) and reliever Taylor Rogers. While so many teams around them in the NL managed to get better, it's an underwhelming deadline performance for a team that should be going all in. Atlanta Braves It's not that the Braves did anything poor at the trade deadline that makes them losers. It's that they didn't do ... anything. At least not anything that they needed to do. None of their pending free agents were moved, no significant changes were made to a team going nowhere this season and the only move they did make was a marginal trade involving Rafael Montero. That is extremely underwhelming. Boston Red Sox The Red Sox were rumored to be in the market for a significant starting pitcher, including Minnesota's Joe Ryan. They did not make that sort of splash move, and instead added Steven Matz and Dustin May. For a team trying to hang in the American League playoff race, that is not really exciting. They also paid a steep price to get May, giving up one of the top prospects — outfielder James Tibbs III — they acquired in the Rafael Devers trade to the San Francisco Giants.
How to watch the Yankees vs. Marlins: First pitch, TV & streaming details for the Series
The Yankees look to continue their roll towards the postseason, with the Marlins standing in their way. Both of these teams have playoff potential, but the Marlins will need a lot of help. It's slim, but there's a possibility. Can they head in that direction, and upset the Yankees? How to watch Yankees vs. Marlins Game 1 tonight Matchup: New York Yankees vs. Miami Marlins Date: Friday, August 1, 2025 Time: 7:10 PM ET TV Channels: FDSFL and YES Live Stream Platform: DIRECTV (Regional restrictions may apply) Location: Miami, FL Stadium: loanDepot park Predictions, odds, and spread for Yankees vs. Marlins — Game 1 How to watch Yankees vs. Marlins Game 2 Saturday Matchup: New York Yankees vs. Miami Marlins Date: Saturday, August 2, 2025 Time: 4:10 PM ET TV Channels: FDSFL and YES Live Stream Platform: DIRECTV (Regional restrictions may apply) Location: Miami, FL Stadium: loanDepot park How to watch Yankees vs. Marlins Game 3 Sunday Matchup: New York Yankees vs. Miami Marlins Date: Sunday, August 3, 2025 Time: 1:40 PM ET TV Channels: FDSFL and YES Live Stream Platform: DIRECTV (Regional restrictions may apply) Location: Miami, FL Stadium: loanDepot park Key players you need to watch on the Yankees Aaron Judge – Judge leads the Yankees in home runs for the 2025 season with 37, solidifying his role as the team's top power hitter. Cody Bellinger – Playing left field, Bellinger ranks second on the team with 20 home runs, making a significant impact in the Yankees' lineup. Jazz Chisholm Jr. – As the team's second baseman, Chisholm Jr. is tied for third in home runs with 18, showing valuable power production from the infield. Key players you need to watch on the Marlins Kyle Stowers – Led the Marlins with a .298 batting average, .379 OBP, .570 slugging percentage, and .949 OPS in 2025, making him the team's top offensive performer. Xavier Edwards – Key contributor for Miami with a .294 batting average and .359 OBP, providing consistency and production from the second base position. Griffin Conine – Delivered a strong offensive season for the Marlins with a .281 average, .352 OBP, and .438 slugging, establishing himself as an important outfielder in 2025. Key stats for New York Yankees Key stats for Miami Marlins Who's winning the Yankees vs. Marlins series? The difference between these two teams coming into tonights matchup cannot be bigger: on the one hand, with the Yankees almost certainly in the playoffs, and on the other, the Marlins on the fringe of elimination. Both of these teams have something to fight for, but if we are being frank, the Marlins are already looking forward to next season. Give me the Yankees to continue their roll.
Padres' Role for Mason Miller Revealed By Team Insider
After their trade deadline moves on Thursday, the San Diego Padres have put together the strongest bullpen in MLB. San Diego has been battling to hold on to one of the NL Wild Card spots and are only three games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers for first place in the NL West. But their bolstered bullpen could push the Friars past the Dodgers and through a deep postseason run. With the addition of closer Mason Miller from the Athletics, the Padres have two closers they can lean on. Miller is a 2024 National League All-Star, and two-time NL All-Star Robert Suarez leads all of MLB with 30 saves. The Padres reportedly plan to keep Suarez as their primary closer and use Miller as “powerful arm in a variety of high-leverage situations,” per The Athletic’s Dennis Lin. San Diego will also now be able to give their relievers more frequent rests to preserve their arms through October. “Like we’ve seen so far through the first 100 games, if we have an opportunity to shorten the game, you want to take that,” said Padres general manager AJ Preller. “I think also it gives Mike (Shildt) an opportunity to mix and match with the ’pen, an opportunity certain nights to be able to go to one set of relievers and give guys an opportunity to get a little bit of a rest and a blow and be fresh for, hopefully, what’s a long run here for the rest of the regular season and into the postseason.” In addition to strengthening their bullpen, the Padres were able to deepen their rotation and kept starting pitcher Dylan Cease. Along with Miller, the Athletics traded starting pitcher JP Sears to the Padres, and the Milwaukee Brewers traded All-Star starting pitcher Nestor Cortes. Acquiring Miller and Sears will certainly help San Diego through the postseason this year. But in the process of landing the pitching pair, the Padres lost their No. 1 overall prospect Leo De Vries. San Diego has been criticized for their history of trading top prospects, especially after sending their No. 1 overall prospect from 2021 and 2025 All-Star starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore to the Washington Nationals in 2022. Preller said trading De Vries was a difficult decision but the organization ultimately felt like Miller and Sears were worthy enough to make the trade. For more Padres news, head over to Padres on SI.
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