Following a flurry of movements to kick off NBA free agency, things have been calm, with some teams working behind the scenes to constantly improve their squad. Some rivals have expressed strong interest in Toronto Raptors swingman Bruce Brown. The Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors have quietly surfaced as potential suitors for Brown, who is in his final year of a contract for around $23 million.
“Speaking of the Raptors, they continue to explore the market for interest in veteran swingman Bruce Brown, who is entering the final year of his contract at $23 million,” Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints told reporters. Brown is widely recognized throughout the league for his positional versatility and ability to create winning plays that do not always appear in the numbers. The 27-year-old played a key role in the Denver Nuggets’ championship run in 2023, and his expiring deal will appeal to numerous playoff-contending teams.
According to insiders, the Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks expressed interest in Brown last season, and Los Angeles remains interested in him this offseason. The Golden State Warriors had been rumoured to be interested in Brown and were quietly mentioned as a potential suitor months ago. While doubtful, the Warriors might trade Andrew Wiggins, who is getting more than $26 million this season, to Toronto in exchange for Brown and other assets. This would give the Dubs more financial flexibility going ahead.”
The addition of Brown makes almost too much sense for both the Lakers and the Warriors. His playmaking abilities and mobility are greatly underestimated, and, more significantly, he has championship experience from his stint in Denver. However, which team can make a better offer to acquire Brown from the Raptors?
Who would make the best Bruce Brown trade offer?
Ultimately, it will be determined by what the Raptors demand for Brown during any trade negotiations. Although Toronto is attempting to become a playoff contender with Scottie Barnes at the helm, they must still acquire assets and pieces to fill out their final vision. With that in mind, it’s worth noting that the Raptors traded Pascal Siakam to Indiana in exchange for Brown, three first-round picks and Jordan Nwora. Given how much the Raptors received from the Pacers, they’ll certainly seek equivalent value when trading Brown.
Given that the Lakers have the salaries of D’Angelo Russell, Cam Reddish, Jaxson Hayes, and others to work with, there may be some traction if the Raptors like the fit of any player beside Barnes. However, Los Angeles has minimal assets elsewhere, particularly in terms of draft picks, which could make it difficult to conclude a deal, as Toronto is likely looking for more than expiring salary to complement and strengthen its lineup.
This is where the Warriors, who could utilize All-Star forward Andrew Wiggins as a bargaining chip, enter the picture. Offering an All-Star wing to help hasten the Raptors’ reconstruction may be a much more appealing offer for Toronto, especially because Golden State has more moveable first-round picks.
Again, everything depends on what the Raptors desire in a potential Brown trade. However, for the time being, the Warriors can make a significantly more appealing offer than the Lakers.
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