Bruce Brown’s name continues to pop up in trade rumors.
However, the biggest challenge for the Raptors will be trying to find a trade partner who has the flexibility to take on Brown’s $23 million expiring contract.
The Raptors are reportedly “very motivated” to trade Brown as Jake Fischer reported earlier in the week. Brown has been playing his best basketball of the season and has been a major contributor from off the Raptors bench. Even though Brown has been restoring his value, Fischer told Nate Duncan on the Dunc’d On podcast that Brown’s expiring contract remains a tough obstacle in trade discussions:
“Bruce Brown is showing that he’s back and healthy, and that will help his chances, even though they are tough with his salary being $23 million. I don’t think there’s a lot of teams that have the salary to move to turn into Bruce Brown at $23 million.”
The Denver Nuggets have been linked to Brown, but it would be tough for them to make a deal work. Denver would have to part ways with Michael Porter Jr. which seems very unlikely in this scenario.
The likeliest path for the Raptors to trade Brown is for them to include him in a multi-team deal as part of a larger trade. The Raptors reportedly want to get involved in the Jimmy Butler sweepstakes and be a facilitator in that potential trade.
If the Raptors are unable to move Brown, there is a buyout option or the team could hold onto him until the summer and explore sign-and-trade scenarios.
Insider reveals latest on Raptors trade talks
The Toronto Raptors could wind up being busy before the trade deadline on Feb. 6
With many players on their roster in the rumor mill Sportsnet’s Michael Grange talked about their value going into the trade deadline.
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