NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers and Knicks emerge as favorites to land Raptors star Bruce Brown Jr

The anticipation for the NBA trades to happen has risen as insiders whisper about the potential landing spots for the Toronto Raptors’ versatile wing, Bruce Brown Jr. According to NBA insiders, the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks are currently surfacing as the main frontrunners in the pursuit of the 27-year-old player.

Brown, recently acquired by the Raptors in the Pascal Siakam trade with the Indiana Pacers, has become a hot trade asset for the team, attracting attention for his well-rounded skills on both ends of the court.

Bruce Brown Jr trade update

Bruce Brown was recently traded to the Toronto Raptor by the Indiana Pacers with two-year, $45 million contract in the offseason, featuring a team option for the 2024-25 season. But it seems that Brown’s stay with Toronto might be short-lived, given the team’s willingness to explore trade options and build for the future.

The Raptors are currently in a transitional phase and it seems that they are open to dealing Brown for a future first-round pick. With a club option for 2024-2025, Brown appear to be a valuable trade asset, potentially helping teams aiming for a playoff competition this season.

The Los Angeles Lakers who are currently ranked at the 13th place when it comes to defensive and at the 18th place in three-point percentage, could significantly benefit from adding Brown to boost their backcourt depth.

On the other hand, in New York, the Knicks, who recently acquired OG Anunoby are presently perceiving Brown as an attractive piece of filling up the missing gaps in the backcourt. Brown’s defensive versatility and experience as a key player in Denver Nuggets’ NBA Finals run, last year, make him a potential asset for the Knicks who are currently seated in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Brown opened up in a post-game interview about his desire to be in New York. He also expressed himself as a ‘dog,’ emphasizing on how determined he is on both ends of the court. He insisted that he is the type of player that Knicks’ Head Coach, Tom Thibodeau, would want.

Brown said, “I am a dog. I play extremely hard on both ends of the floor. I can do just about whatever [Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau] needs me to do.”

However, despite all the buzzing trade sounds surrounding him and having played for multiple teams in a short span, Brown is able to maintain a level-headed approach on the court while leaving trade decisions to the Raptors’ front desk.

What are Raptors demands to trade Bruce Brown?

With the NBA games stakes at an all-time high especially as the trade deadlines are closing in, the Toronto Raptors have strategically unveiled their demands for their guard, Bruce Brown. With potential suitors like the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers, contending for the talented wing connector, the Raptors have set a firm asking price.

The story began when Brown was part of the Pascal Siakam blockbuster deal with the Indiana Pacers. He has now found himself at the center of attention. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, who spilled the beans by revealing that the Raptors were seeking a future first-round pick and, at the very least, a quality player in exchange for Brown.

From receiving a championship ring in Denver to being traded while walking into practice with the Pacers, Brown has made headlines for his unexpected whirlwind week. From being in Toronto, and then to New York, and now back to Toronto, Brown’s life has indeed been a rollercoaster, leaving him with very little time to think of his next move.

The Raptors, having traded away key players like Siakam and Anunoby, are seemingly signaling a shift in focus toward their youth and future assets. Thus, Brown, with a $23 million team option, potentially becomes a valuable trade asset for the team rather than a long-term contributor, according to the eyes of the Raptors’ front office.

The only question that lies before us now is: Will the Knicks or Lakers meet Toronto’s asking price, or will another contender swoop in for the coveted wing player? Let us know your thoughts and predictions in the comments down below!