As the Toronto Raptors look to see what the trade market will be for veteran guard Bruce Brown, it appears as though the emergence of a previously unknown suitor might force contenders like the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks to step up their asking price if they want to secure his services.
According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Raptors and Utah Jazz discussed a trade that would send Brown to Salt Lake City for a package headlined by Canadian center Kelly Olynyk and former No. 14 pick Ochai Agbaji. It is unclear what draft compensation would be exchanged in this deal.
While the pick (or picks) will determine how much of a steal this move would be for Toronto, the team would get an answer to their backup center problem in Olynyk. The Toronto-born, Kamloops-raised big man is averaging 8.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game while making 57% of his shots and 43% from 3-point range.
Agbaji has averaged 6.7 points per game in his career while making 43% of his field goal attempts and 35% of his 3-pointers. While trying to get three shoot-first young wings in Agbaji, Gradey Dick, and Jordan Nwora playing time could be difficult, it's never a bad idea to stockpile too many young shooters.
More Raptors news
- The Raptors won't be able to see Fred VanVleet suit up for his first game in Toronto as a member of the visiting Houston Rockets. An adductor strain has sidelined him for the next few games, including Toronto's first game after the trade deadline. Hopefully, VanVleet will still be in attendance.
- Chris Boucher, who is out of the team's rotation and could be viewed as a buy-low trade target, commented on the ceaseless deluge of trade rumors around him. “I mean, everything has to end, right?" Boucher said, via Sportsnet. “Hopefully it will in a better position. But… you never know what could happen. With what’s been going on this year, obviously, I just got to wait my turn, I guess."
“Chris Boucher has fallen out of favour — he didn’t get off the bench in Houston and Oklahoma City — and league sources suggest the Raptors are trying to find a landing spot for him.”
— BASKETBALL ON 𝕏 (@BasketballOnX) February 5, 2024
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NBA news
- The Detroit Pistons are one of the few years who are active at the NBA Trade Deadline. Detroit acquired Simone Fontecchio from the Jazz for a 2024 second-round pick, while also trading Monte Morris to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Shake Milton, Troy Brown Jr, and a 2030 second-round pick.
- The Boston Celtics add some more frontcourt depth at the expense of the Memphis Grizzlies. Boston picked up young center Xavier Tillman from Memphis in exchange for Lamar Stevens and two second-round draft picks.