JUST IN: Raptors Trade 27-years old superstar for $23 million

NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports that the Toronto Raptors are likely to trade Bruce Brown this offseason. The team is expected to exercise Brown’s $23 million option and use him as a trade asset, according to league sources.

The Raptors acquired Brown from the Indiana Pacers in a major trade involving Pascal Siakam. Brown played 34 games for Toronto, averaging 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.3 blocks. He was instrumental in helping the Denver Nuggets win the 2023 NBA championship against the Miami Heat.

A Miami native, Brown finished this season with an average of 10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.3 blocks over 67 games with both the Pacers and Raptors, shooting 47.8% from the field, 32.3% from three-point range, and 82.4% from the free-throw line.

At the 2024 NBA trade deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Utah Jazz, and Milwaukee Bucks were all interested in Brown. It will be intriguing to see which team the Raptors will trade him to this offseason.

Born in Boston, Brown has career averages of 8.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.5 blocks, having played for the Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets, Nuggets, Pacers, and Raptors. He will turn 28 in August.

The Raptors are focusing their rebuilding efforts around Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley, who were acquired from New York in exchange for OG Anunoby. According to Scotto, the Raptors are also looking to extend All-Star forward Scottie Barnes this summer.

This season, the Raptors finished with a 25-57 record, ranking 21st in the NBA in points per game, 25th in points allowed per game, and 25th in net rating.