Bruce Brown hasn’t played a game for the Toronto Raptors this season as he recovers from his offseason knee surgery.
Yet, his name continues to pop up in trade rumors. Brown is expected to be moved at the upcoming trade deadline, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype:
“One prevalent belief throughout the league is that Toronto will look to trade Bruce Brown, who’s on an expiring $23 million deal. Last year, Toronto declined offers of multiple second-round picks for Brown, league sources told HoopsHype. This season, Brown has yet to play after having an arthroscopic surgical procedure on his right knee.”
Brown has been ramping up towards a return and should make his season debut at some point this month. That means he will be healthy with about two months to go before the trade deadline in February.
When he first arrived to Toronto after the Pascal Siakam trade, Brown was at the center of trade talks leading into last season’s trade deadline. The Raptors had tried to move Brown for a first-round pick, but they couldn’t find a deal. As Scotto mentioned, the Raptors did decline offers for Brown that included multiple second-round picks.
The Raptors picked up Brown’s $23 million option this past summer, which gives them flexibility for this season. The 28-year-old is now on the final year of his deal and is set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer.
Brown is coming off a down year in which he struggled. He battled a right knee injury that limited his play and he wasn’t as effective as expected when he suited up for the Raptors during a 34-game stretch last season. Brown’s knee flared up again before training camp and that is when the Raptors opted for him to undergo surgery. Once Brown is healthy he is still a versatile player who can help a championship contending team.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Raptors can get a first-round pick for Brown this time around.
The Toronto Raptors won their second game in a row as they defeated the Indiana Pacers 122-111.
Here are 3 takeaways from the game.
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