After pulling off one of many greatest trades of the season, the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors may come collectively to swing one other deal forward of the commerce deadline.
The Knicks (33-18) have been one of many NBA’s prime groups since trading RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and draft capital to Toronto for OG Anunoby, Treasured Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn this previous December.
Nevertheless, their second unit has struggled mightily within the scoring division since shedding Quickley and discovering an impactful bench piece is likely one of the Knicks’ highest priorities earlier than Thursday’s deadline.
Toronto’s Bruce Brown might be the reply, and in line with Michael Grange of Sportsnet, the Knicks are thought-about a “possible touchdown spot” for the versatile ahead.
“Whereas a number of groups have inquired about Brown, intrigued by his capability to work his means into virtually any lineup alongside together with his championship pedigree, the New York Knicks stay a potential and even possible touchdown spot, with Evan Fournier and his contract because the matching piece,” Grange wrote.
Brown, a key contributor throughout the Denver Nuggets’ championship run final season, was acquired by the Raptors in January as a part of the deal that despatched All-Star ahead Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers. The 27-year-old is averaging 11.5 factors per recreation this season and has garnered loads of curiosity main as much as the deadline.
“In response to a league supply, the Raptors are asking for and have been supplied a first-round decide for Brown, who’s incomes $22.5M this season and has a workforce choice on his deal for subsequent season price $23M,” Grange continued.
Moreover, Grange notes that the Knicks are aiming to amass Brown with one among their two 2024 first-round picks, which might be an impediment to putting a deal. Toronto already has 4 picks in June’s draft that might land inside the highest 31 choices, and it may not be inclined so as to add extra, contemplating the prospect pool is weaker than in years previous.
Grange speculated that the Raptors might be “holding out for a future Knicks first-rounder,” a commodity that New York is reluctant to incorporate in a possible deal. The Knicks have eight tradeable first-round picks at their disposal, however it’s clear they wish to save as many future firsts to make a major splash this offseason.
Whereas buying somebody who may function a lead ball handler with the power to create pictures for the second unit is a extra urgent want for the Knicks, Brown can be a worthwhile addition.
Other than bringing championship-winning expertise, Brown’s tenacious model of play is an ideal match for HC Tom Thibodeau’s workforce, which has posted the second-best defensive ranking within the NBA since Anunoby made his Knicks debut (107.5).
Brown’s $23M team option for subsequent season would additionally give the Knicks loads of flexibility this offseason, as they may use it in a bundle to land one other star.
Even so, Brown is only one of a number of names New York is inquiring about earlier than Thursday’s deadline, so it will be attention-grabbing to see whether or not the workforce decides to fulfill Toronto’s asking value.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Wednesday that the Knicks have mentioned a commerce with the Detroit Pistons centered round guard Alec Burks, who spent two seasons with New York (2020-22).
Nonetheless, if the Knicks acquired each Brown and Burks to shore up their bench, they might be the ultimate items to make the workforce a official title contender, even when the 2 appear to be modest additions.