With trade buzz building, multifaceted new Raptors guard Bruce Brown seems like an enticing plug-and-play option for a variety of rival clubs, writes Mark W. Sanchez of The New York Post. Brown’s former Nuggets teammates recently spoke in reverential tones of his application as a utility player.
“I think he can fit any team,” wing Christian Braun remarked.
“Coach [Michael Malone] called him the Swiss Army knife — I think that’s spot-on,” Denver guard Jamal Murray said. “He can bring it up. He can get to the rim. He can shoot it enough. He can defend their best player. Run in transition.”
Brown has been linked to the Knicks as of late, as well as the Lakers. As a versatile wing who can fill multiple positional slots on the hardwood for a given team, the 6’4″ vet could be an excellent fit within Tom Thibodeau‘s gritty system.
There’s more out of Toronto:
- The decision to trade former Raptors wing Norman Powell to the Trail Blazers in 2021 is beginning to look like another epic miscalculation for a floundering Toronto front office, according to Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca. As Grange notes, the Raptors opted to offload Powell rather than risk having to pay him a pricey new deal in free agency that summer. In the trade, Toronto took back the younger Gary Trent Jr., whom the club was able to retain for less money. However, Powell has only continued to improve, while Trent has plateaued a bit.
- The Raptors would like to see newly acquired young swingman RJ Barrett develop beyond his current heavy focus on scoring the rock, per Eric Koreen of The Athletic. “With (Barrett), it’s very clear that he has a lot of room to improve,” first-year Toronto head coach Darko Rajakovic said of the Canadian. “Obviously, the Olympic Games are there in the middle of the summer, as well. I think that’s going to be a great opportunity for him to play on the big (stage). … I think he’s going to have great opportunities this summer to take (his) game to the next level.”
- In case you missed it, two-way player Jontay Porter has managed to carve out legitimate rotation time on head coach Rajakovic’s roster, and has impressed during his meaningful minutes.
Epic miscalculation is a ridiculous way to describe the Trent/Powell trade from Toronto’s pov. Trent fits their current timeline better. Also the Raps currently have a similar guy to Powell anyway in Bruce Brown. Speaking of Brown I’m not sure why Toronto would trade him unless someone comes with an overpay. Raps have valued length & versatility pretty highly over the Ujiri era & he fits that mold perfectly. They alr have 3 1sts in this upcoming draft they don’t need more picks. Id ask NYK for Mitchell Robinson, Grimes & a future 1st for Brown & if they decline, just keep him
I would love to know what player they are watching in this comparison. Powell, in my opinion, is the exact same player they traded. He is an offense first, undersized guard. He is a rotation player who is better than average. I would make the same argument about Trent. They have eerily similar counting stats since switching teams at a fraction of the cost. Seriously, what has Powell developed into? I am so confused. He is a nice player, don’t get me wrong, but to categorize the decision as a failure is a gross over exaggeration
I agree. Powell is what he is. A useful rotation piece. Trent was younger and they took a stab that they might catch lightning in a bottle for a vet who was going to help the Raptors do what exactly? Slightly more competitive play in game?
Powell fit the Raptors timeline at the time of the trade. I’m just not sure the FO views GTJr as part of this team, if he’s not draining 3’s he’s pretty useless.
Brown it makes no sense to keep him. The goal isn’t to win games right now, we need scheduled losses to keep our pick to get a complimentary star alongside Scotty. If our foundation was hear you could keep Brown, but it doesn’t make sense when you’re trying to get a top 5 pick.
I would love Brown on the Knicks but only if a package can be done without Grimes. I’m surprised Toronto wants to unload him. He’s a solid player and still young enough to play with the others during a youth movement.
Bruce Brown for Mitchell Robinson, Arcidiacano, Dal’s 2024 top10 protected 1st & NYK’s unprotected 2027 1st
Hawks are asking for 2 picks for Murray. And no one wants to give that. Yet you think Brown can get two picks. OK
We don’t need Brown. Hawks do …
Brown will be traded for a 2025 lottery protected FRP, you don’t need to give up Grimes, maybe Fournier or whatever salary you don’t want. Lower tye protections if it’s a multi year salary takeback.
Haha, I think Brown Is a great fit for any team, but that’s an outrageous overpay.
Danny Ainge, is that you?
Brown starting next to Young is what Hawks need. A D guy who doesn’t need the ball. Will get you 12-16 in 30 mins. Play good D. And do all the dirty work. That’s what works with Trae. Bogdanovic can still get mins as a third guard.
Raptors are not keeping Brown. Cause they won’t pay. They are rebuilding. So would rather assets and younger talent. He’s a FA. So they will be lucky to get a pick and a player. Knicks don’t need him. To me he’s pretty much the same as Hart.
IMO Knicks are going to wait till end. To see who’s available and get prices to drop. Good strategy.
Browns not a FA, he has a team option. Any team that trades for him, will invoke that option
Brown for Wendal Carter Jr and Okeke / Brown for Okongwu and Patty Mills with a first / Bruce for Bertans, Jaylin Williams and a 2024 first /Bruce for Bol, Watanabe, Little, Grayson. Bruce for Kennard, Zaire, GG Jackson.
Brown for Bol, Watanabe, Little and Grayson? How many roster spots do you think the Raps have? I like the idea of Brown for Carter Jr and Okeke but i think that the Raps would have to throw in a pick or 2 to get that done and im not sure they can ad assets with Brown to facilitate a trade.
Some guys will either be traded for cash or cut. It’s not that technical.