The Toronto Raptors have multiple veterans on their roster who will, in all likelihood, not be retained for the 2024-25 season. Bruce Brown and Gary Trent Jr. seem like the two most likely candidates to be moved, given their value to possible contenders across the NBA.
The Raptors could hold on to Brown and lock up one of their bench spots, as his ability to defend multiple positions and finish in the interior at an uncommonly high rate for a guard is exceptional. However, if a team is willing to meet Toronto's asking price, Brown could be as good as gone in Canada.
Reports suggest that Toronto is asking for a first-round pick and a young player with some potential in exchange for Brown. After not even one year removed from becoming an elite role player on a championship Nuggets team, his value to the best squads in the league has been crystallized.
The Raptors need to take a look at these three young players if they want to move brown and add yet another standout neophyte who can enter the mix for what should be a very intriguing 2024-25 roster. Without one of these three becoming available, Toronto might be better off holding on to Brown.
3 young players the Toronto Raptors must target in Bruce Brown trade talks.
3. Quentin Grimes, SG, New York Knicks
The Knicks have been one of Brown's more active suitors, so much so that Brown himself even talked up how well he could fit in with New York before his second game with the team. If the Raptors want a young player, Grimes seems to make a ton of sense for them.
Grimes is averaging 7.2 points per game while making around 39% of his shots this season. Considering he averaged 11.3 points per game last year, adding Grimes would be equal parts adding a young player with a diverse offensive toolbox and bringing on yet another reclamation project.
The Toronto Raptors could land Quentin Grimes from the Knicks.
Some might not like the idea of turning one-third of the rotation into a collection of former Knicks that failed to really take off in New York, but the production bump that RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley managed to see when they made the trip up north could help Grimes as well.
Grimes is a bit of a gamble, but the Raptors would likely be better off from a financial (and possibly competitive) point of view if they roll the dice with Grimes and a young draft pick instead of a player like Brown who could cost as much as $23 million as a bench player next season.
2. Nick Richards, C, Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets have young players worth holding on to, as the LaMelo Ball/Brandon Miller partnership is coming along smoothly while center Mark Williams looks solid in his limited time. If The Raptors need to get a third team involved to facilitate a deal, Charlotte makes a ton of sense as that team.
Richards is averaging 9.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. While his defense can be very hit and miss on a poor Hornets team, his ability to swat shots at the rim and rebound the ball well could give Toronto some piece of mind as they finally secure a solid backup center behind Poeltl.
Nick Richards could be a backup center for the Toronto Raptors.
While Jontay Porter looks like a solid backup NBA player, his inability to score efficiently will likely be held against him to some degree. Richards is a bad passer and has no game outside of the paint, but his bruising style in the paint could make him a double-double threat for extended minutes.
Richards is signed to a fairly affordable contract, and his improved production suggests that he could be a quality role player on a team that eventually turns into a winner. The Raptors won't have to burn another draft pick on a developmental big man if they secure Richards through trading.
1. Rui Hachimura, PF, Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are always ready to make a trade, even if names like Jalen Hood-Schifino will need to be moved to get something done. While JHS would be an enticing get, the Raptors' need for frontcourt skill might prompt them to see just how much the Lakers are tied to Hachimura in 2024-25.
Hachimura is averaging 11.1 points per game on 49% shooting and 38% from 3-point range, which is right on par with his career averages. With Chris Boucher on the trade block as well, Precious Achiuwa in New York, and Thad Young at the end of his career, the Raptors may need to add a stretch power forward.
Can the Toronto Raptors grab Rui Hachimura?
A bench consisting primarily of Hachimura, Dennis Schroder, Gradey Dick, and some of Toronto's top draft picks in the 2024 class could give the Raptors a surprisingly deep team that helps take some of the pressure off Scottie Barnes and the rest of the starting lineup.
The Raptors are clearly not interested in worrying about the post-LeBron James future, and Hachimura's flatlining scoring might be less attractive than a player like Brown coming in and being an immediate two-way player. Hachimura's solid shooting will be very welcome on the new-look, offense-first Raptors team.