Bruce Brown’s return package from the Toronto Raptors has already included an offer from the New York Knicks for their first-round pick.
According to Michael Grange of Sportsnet Canada, they are still arguing about which of the Knicks’ first-round selections to select.
“Brown, who is making $22.5 million this season and has a $23 million team option on his contract for next season, is reportedly worth a first-round selection, which the Raptors are requesting and have received.
The Knicks’ attempt to complete the deal with one of their two first-round picks in the upcoming draft—their own, which is expected to be 23rd, or the Dallas Mavericks’, which is top-12 protected and would be 17th if the draft were held tomorrow—is the sticking point, according to Grange’s report on February 6.
The Pascal Siakam trade gave the Raptors two first-round picks in 2024 in addition to their own. Therefore, in addition to this June’s NBA Draft, which scouts and analysts predict will be lacklustre in comparison to previous years, they are requesting a first-round selection.
However, since that first-round pick has greater value in the event of a future star trade, the Knicks are reluctant to part with it.
In the short and medium term, the Knicks will benefit by trading Brown for Evan Fournier’s corresponding $18.9 million salary.
Brown, like Fournier, has a 23 million-dollar team option for the upcoming campaign, which the Knicks would probably take up to serve as payroll support in a star trade. However, Brown is a championship-caliber, serviceable two-way player who, should the Knicks decide to retain him, can aid them for this season’s postseason run and beyond. This is in contrast to Fournier.
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