Products You May Like
Bruce Brown’s time in the Great White North appears to be coming to a close.
The Raptors guard came to Toronto with plenty of fanfare, having established himself as a crucial synapse on a championship-caliber team with the Nuggets prior to joining the Pacers and, eventually, arriving in the Six after being included in the deal for Pascal Siakam.
Although the Raps have since transformed from a borderline playoff team into a rebuilding one, Brown’s standing around the league remains as high as ever.
Toronto has shown a willingness to let go of its best talent if the price is right, as evidenced by Siakam and OG Anunoby’s departure ahead of last year’s trade deadline.
Much like his predecessors, Brown could fetch a good return for Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster’s squad. Such a prospect has to be tantalizing for a team that won just 25 games last season.
So, what’s the latest on Brown’s availability in trade talks? The Sporting News has you covered.
Bruce Brown trade rumors tracker
Raptors to pick up Brown’s $23 million team option, still intend to trade guard
Date: June 28
Source: ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski
Toronto is opting to pick up Brown’s $23 million team option, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The move comes after the Raps inked Immanuel Quickley to a five-year, $175 million deal earlier in the offseason.
Brown’s extension may seem a curious decision. However, it seems right in line with what the Toronto Star’s Doug Smith reported back in May. According to Smith, the sense around Toronto’s camp is that the Raptors will attempt to deal Brown quickly after extending him rather than waiting until next year’s deadline.
According to Smith, the idea of agreeing to pick up Brown’s option would be at least somewhat contingent on Toronto having a trade in its crosshairs. With the franchise interested in re-signing free agent Gary Trent Jr., picking up Brown’s contract will also offer the Raptors a concrete idea of what they have to offer Trent.
Only time will tell if the move pays off for Toronto, who will be able to dangle Brown as an ideal garnish for a title contender.