NBA Trade Rumors: How Knicks Acquire Bruce Brown
Toronto Raptors guard Bruce Brown has played one game for his new team ... and he may not have much time calling Canada his home.
Brown, part of last year's championship run with the Denver Nuggets, was the main Canadian import in a Wednesday deal that sent Pascal Siakam to Indiana. If Toronto continues its ongoing fire sale (which previously sent OG Anunoby to the Knicks), Brown is a newfound asset that could get back financial flexibility and further draft picks from a contender ... such as the New York Knicks.
A hypothetical trade from Bleacher Report suggested a deal where the Knicks send Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier, and a 2024 first-round pick (top-12 protected) to the Raptors. In his analysis, Zach Buckley hinted that dealing for Brown could help the Knicks in both the present and future.
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"The Knicks have "some internal interest" in Brown, per SNY's Ian Begley, and might view the versatile swingman as a way to strengthen their defense, up their playmaking options when Jalen Brunson is out and perhaps grease the gears of a bigger trade down the road," Bleacher Report's Buckley writes. "Brown's $23 million team option for next season could be a helpful money-matcher if New York goes star-searching this summer."
"(Toronto) may not see much of a future with the 27-year-old and could see this swap as a way to gain another pick (with protection that eventually lowers to top-eight) and get younger and cheaper on the wings with Grimes, a seamless-on-paper fit with Barnes.
The Knicks previously had interest in adding Brown, previously a member of last year's championship group from Denver, over the summer as a free agent.
Adding him to the team would give the Knicks a player with championship experience and a better balance for someone to play alongside the offensive-minded Jalen Brunson in the backcourt. Every contender is probably discussing the idea of trading for Brown, and the Knicks likely wouldn't be alone.
The Knicks (25-17) will have a prime opportunity to scout Brown on Saturday as his Raptors visit Madison Square Garden in the latest edition of a lengthy homestand (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).
