The Raptors are exercising their $23MM team option on Bruce Brown‘s contract for the 2024/25 season, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). According to Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca (Twitter link), the club has officially confirmed the move.
There had been some speculation that Toronto would pick up that option on Brown as part of a trade agreement, and Wojnarowski refers to the swingman as a “valuable trade asset.” However, it doesn’t sound like any deal is in place at this point to send Brown to a new team.
After playing a crucial role off the bench for the Nuggets during their 2022/23 championship season, Brown drew significant interest as a free agent last summer and eventually signed a two-year, $45MM contract with the Pacers. Indiana sent him to Toronto in January as part of a trade package for Pascal Siakam.
In 67 total appearances (44 starts) for the Pacers and Raptors, Brown averaged 10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 27.9 minutes per game, posting a shooting line of .478/.323/.824. The 6’4″ wing is considered a solid, versatile perimeter defender who is a good fit next to more ball-dominant players on offense.
Exercising Brown’s $23MM option and taking on salary in their now-official trade with the Kings puts the Raptors on track to operate as an over-the-cap team this offseason. They’ll have a decision to make on another wing Gary Trent Jr., who will be an unrestricted free agent. Re-signing Trent would likely prevent Toronto from using the non-taxpayer mid-level exception while remaining out of tax territory, as Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca tweets.
Whether Brown plays out the season in Toronto or is dealt to a new team, he’ll return to unrestricted free agency in 2025, since he won’t become extension-eligible before his current deal expires.
Getting traded ……
Lame
real head scratcher… Brown was AWWWFUUULLLL down the stretch with the Raptors… makes no sense… oh well at least they dumped Siakam and Anunoby and got good value back… that is a lot of money… 35 million in Canadian dollars…
Did you miss the part where Woj said he’s a trade chip? They aren’t going to keep him.
He lucked out with this. Thank the Lord. He will never see that money again. Trade me anywhere. Devote Graham on the Spurs could be in the same situation
Should have stayed with Nugs. Got the bag but career going downhill
Bruce for Jonathan Issac?
Bruce & Poetl with a 2026 pick for Ingram & Valencunas (via sign & trade).