In a surprising move last summer, Bruce Brown signed a lucrative 2-year, $45 million contract with the Indiana Pacers. Given his role as a secondary ball-handler and versatile defensive player off the bench for the 2023 title-winning Denver Nuggets, some eyebrows were raised at the hefty price tag for a role player. However, the inclusion of a team option for the second year made it clear that Brown's contract held immense trade value.
This unique contract situation allowed the Pacers to utilize Brown's salary as the principal outgoing asset in their trade for Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors. And now, with the 2024 trade deadline just a week away, the Raptors find themselves with several options regarding Brown's future.
The most logical route for the Raptors would be to trade Brown before the deadline. In his short time with Toronto, he has already showcased his skills, including a solid performance against the Chicago Bulls where he contributed 19 points, 3 steals, and 2 blocks in a victory. As a savvy, do-it-all guard with exceptional off-ball cutting abilities, Brown would be a valuable addition to teams contending for a playoff spot or aiming for a championship. Interested teams like the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Sacramento Kings should be exploring potential deals, with the reported price being a first-round pick and possibly an intriguing player.
Considering his potential trade value, the Raptors might seek a high asking price. However, an alternative strategy could involve keeping Brown and utilizing him as a trade chip during the summer. Brown's team option comes up on June 29th, just days before free agency and the NBA draft. This opens up the possibility of using Brown's contract, along with their 2024 draft picks, in a trade on draft day. The Raptors could potentially move up in the draft, acquire future picks, or trade for a young player they covet.
Retaining Brown until the summer also allows for the aggregation of his contract with other players in a potential blockbuster deal. However, this option would only be available after the trade deadline. In the event that a disgruntled star becomes available on the market, the Raptors could combine Brown's salary with their newly acquired pick cache to make a significant trade, providing further depth to their Scottie Barnes-led core.
Furthermore, the summer trade market might offer additional advantages. More contenders will have access to their picks, allowing for increased flexibility in potential transactions. For instance, the Lakers, currently restricted to trading only one future first-round pick, could hold up to three first-round picks for trading purposes in the summer. While it's unlikely that Brown's value will exceed the projected 'first-round pick + player' asking price, the expanded market gives trade possibilities greater flexibility.
In an unlikely scenario, the Raptors could exercise Brown's team option worth $23 million for the 2024-2025 season. While this may introduce more uncertainty during the trade deadline, such a move would transform Brown into an expiring contract—a highly sought-after asset in the NBA. Contending teams pressed against the luxury tax or burdened with impending financial obligations, like the Minnesota Timberwolves or the Oklahoma City Thunder, could acquire talent while receiving much-needed financial relief. The recent trade between the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets serves as an illustrative example. The Grizzlies, facing luxury tax concerns, traded Steven Adams's contract for Victor Oladipo's expiring contract and three second-round picks, benefiting from both a salary dump and gaining additional draft assets.
However, this avenue comes with its risks. Brown's market value next season remains uncertain, as his performance and involvement in trade talks could affect his trade appeal. Additionally, while the Raptors might expect to fetch a first-round pick for a player with potentially 1.5 years left on his deal in this year's trade deadline, the same might not hold true for next year's deadline when Brown becomes an expiring contract.
Therefore, the most reasonable outcome seems to be a trade to a playoff contending team before the deadline. With his diverse skill set, Bruce Brown has garnered interest from multiple suitors. The Raptors, aware of their leverage, are not under immediate pressure to make a trade, especially considering the unique flexibility that retaining Brown until the summer offers. However, other teams also recognize the value of that flexibility and will undoubtedly engage in a bidding war for his services.
As the trade deadline approaches, the excitement mounts, and the fate of Bruce Brown hangs in the balance.
