Kofi Inkoom
The Toronto Raptors are expected to pick up Bruce Brown Jr.’s $23 million player option and explore trading him to another team this summer, with expectations that this move will happen by the end of June.
However, the Raptors face a challenge in finding a trade partner willing to match Brown’s hefty salary.
The Ringers’ Kevin O’Connor has identified 10 players who could bolster championship contenders, linking Brown specifically to the Milwaukee Bucks. O’Connor proposes a a potential trade involving Brown and Brook Lopez:
“There are rumblings that the Bucks want to shift to a more versatile defensive strategy next season, which raises questions about Brook Lopez’s future there. Trading Brook Lopez for Brown would match salaries perfectly, allowing the Raptors to then move Lopez elsewhere. Brown’s ability to set screens and cut for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard would be exciting to watch.”
Financially, Brown and Lopez both earn $23 million in the final year of their contracts next season, making the trade feasible on that front. However, from the Raptors’ perspective, this trade doesn’t seem to align well.
Toronto already has Jakob Poeltl and Kelly Olynyk in their frontcourt and doesn’t necessarily need another veteran center like Lopez. While Lopez is known for his defense and shooting, he doesn’t fit with Toronto’s youthful core going forward.
The only scenario where this trade might make sense for the Raptors is if they plan to flip Lopez to another contender for a different package afterward.
Shifting gears, the Raptors are also reportedly interested in Chicago Bulls’ Patrick Williams, alongside the Oklahoma City Thunder and Charlotte Hornets, per Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
Toronto could potentially execute a sign-and-trade deal with Chicago for Williams. Despite not meeting the Bulls’ initial expectations, Williams, at just 22 years old, still has room to grow.