3 Trade destinations that make the most sense for Raptors vet guard Bruce Brown

This cowboy could hop on his horse elsewhere very soon

Toronto Raptors v Miami Heat - Emirates NBA Cup
Toronto Raptors v Miami Heat - Emirates NBA Cup | Megan Briggs/GettyImages

Raptors fans have been patiently waiting for Bruce Brown.

Brown underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in late September, which has caused him to miss a significant amount of time in the 2024-25 regular season thus far. Reports began to circulate in late November suggesting that Bruce Brown was nearing a comeback, but by mid-December, that has yet to happen.

Considering Bruce Brown's less-than-stellar performance with the Raptors last season and his inactivity, it might be best for both Toronto and the 28-year-old player to part ways. Brown has expressed a desire to enhance his image within the Raptors community. However, with Scottie Barnes sidelined due to injury, retaining Brown may hinder the development of the young talent that is crucial to the team's future plans.

As a key component of the 2023 Denver Nuggets' NBA championship roster, Bruce Brown quickly emerged as one of the league's most sought-after role players. He still has a lot to offer playoff-contending teams, but his nearly $23 million price tag makes trading him a bit more challenging for many franchises.

Although Bruce Brown's stock has dropped recently, several teams may still contact the Raptors' front office in an effort to acquire the former NBA champion, armed with the necessary assets or matching salaries.

Which teams are best positioned to pursue Bruce Brown? Let’s explore the options.

Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks were on the brink of making it to the Finals in 2021, but their trajectory has been anything but stable since then. They attempted to build around a backcourt duo of Dejounte Murray and Trae Young, but that partnership has proven to be less than successful.

Instead, they chose to trade Murray to New Orleans during the offseason in exchange for the young, defensively talented guard Dyson Daniels. This move has proven to be impactful, to say the least. Daniels is establishing himself as one of the league's premier defenders, and the emergence of forward Jalen Johnson has been a welcome sight for Hawks fans.

Currently positioned as the sixth seed in the NBA's Eastern Conference, Atlanta appears poised to continue its successful run and secure a spot in the playoffs, thanks to a talented roster that is finally coming together. But there's always room for improving certain roster needs.

To ease the playmaking burden on Trae Young, the Hawks have benefited from the contributions of Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels. Adding Bruce Brown to the roster would further enhance their playmaking depth, and he brings valuable defensive skills as well. Additionally, sophomore guard Kobe Bufkin lacks the refinement in his game needed to be a reliable secondary playmaker, so Bruce Brown offers a significant improvement in that role.

The Hawks could trade either Larry Nance Jr. or Clint Capela to the Raptors, along with some form of draft capital, to sweeten the deal for Toronto. Additionally, moving Capela would create an opportunity for Onyeka Okongwu to step into a long-awaited starting role, benefiting Atlanta in the process.

Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee has faced a tumultuous campaign in the 2024-25 season, to say the least.

At the start of the year, things looked quite dire for the Milwaukee Bucks, and their offseason acquisition of Gary Trent Jr. seemed to be a disappointment. However, in a weak Eastern Conference and amid a swift change of the guard, the Bucks have managed to pull themselves out of trouble and are once again in the thick of the playoff race.

Championship veteran Khris Middleton has returned to the team, but his ongoing injury concerns and physical fragility have diminished his role as a pivotal piece in the Bucks' title hopes. Milwaukee could enhance its performance by pairing Damian Lillard with a strong backcourt partner like Bruce Brown, who also excels as a defender.

As a team plagued by high contracts, the Milwaukee Bucks would need to use Brook Lopez's direct matching $23 million price tag to acquire Brown from the Raptors. Toronto would likely trade Lopez, as he doesn't align with their timeline and is too talented to remain on the bench. Additionally, moving him could yield valuable assets for the team.

Toronto could be particularly interested in a deal with Milwaukee by acquiring the underutilized third-year player Marjon Beauchamp. The Bucks have indicated he is not in their future plans by opting not to pick up his team option for next season. The Raptors could integrate Beauchamp into their rebuilding strategy while also seeking some form of draft capital from Milwaukee in return.

Golden State Warriors

In a recent Grade the Trade pitch article, we discussed that the Golden State Warriors are expected to be active in the trade market, seeking win-now assets to support their aging superstar duo in pursuit of one final title run.

Look no further than Bruce Brown's fit with the Dubs.

The Warriors already had a perfect Bruce Brown-esque fit on their roster in De'Anthony Melton, but his year would be cut short by an untimely ACL sprain that necessitated season-ending surgery. As an offseason acquisition, Melton will become a tradeable asset starting December 15. It's likely that he will be used to match salaries in a deal involving Bruce Brown's substantial price tag.

Aside from Melton, the Raptors could finally find a solid backup big man in Kevon Looney, who's $8 million contract helps in the trade process. Completing the trade would have to be Lindy Waters III, who emerged as an underrated piece in the Warriors rotation early on this season, but his role has diminished in the time since.

The Golden State Warriors are currently facing a challenging mix of young talent and seasoned championship veterans, and their rotations will need adjustment as the playoffs approach. To improve their chances, they may have to find new homes for Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody.

While it seems unlikely that either player will head to Toronto in a potential Bruce Brown deal, it would be unwise to underestimate the shrewd negotiations of Masai Ujiri.

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