The Toronto Raptors are keeping Bruce Brown at least for now.
The Raptors are picking up the $23 million option on his contract, according to Adrian Wojnarowski:
The Toronto Raptors are picking up the $23 million option on guard Bruce Brown’s contract, sources tell ESPN. Brown will be a valuable trade asset on an expiring contract for the Raptors.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2024
The expectation now is that the Raptors will use Brown as a trade chip. Toronto had been trying to trade Brown since acquiring him in the Pascal Siakam trade in January.
However, the Raptors were unable to find a deal for Brown leading up to the trade deadline. Toronto was hoping that a contender would trade for Brown and surrender a first-round pick for him.
Had the Raptors declined Brown’s option, Toronto could have created just over $20 million in salary cap this offseason if they let both Brown and Gary Trent Jr. walk in free agency.
Brown signed a two-year $55 million deal with the Pacers last offseason. He was a big part in the Siakam deal when it came to matching salaries.
Brown is coming off a down year. He had a knee injury in the second half of the season which slowed him down. He averaged just 9.6 points, 2.7 assists and 3.8 rebounds on 48.1 percent shooting from the field and 31.7 percent shooting from three-point range in 34 games with the Toronto.
He was a big bench piece for the Denver Nuggets during their 2023 championship run.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Raptors are able to trade Brown sooner rather than later.
Immanuel Quickley intends to sign five-year, $175 deal with Raptors
The Toronto Raptors have had a busy 48 hours.
Following a productive 2024 NBA Draft, Toronto locked up their point guard of the future.
Immanuel Quickley intends to sign a five-year, $175 million contract with the Raptors.
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