One NBA writer is proposing that the Indiana Pacers trade Bruce Brown to the Toronto Raptors for OG Anunoby in a blockbuster trade. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Pacers and Raptors:
The Trade: Bruce Brown, a 2027 first-round pick (top-five protected) and a 2029 first-round pick to the Raptors for OG Anunoby
“The Pacers have pieced together an impressive supporting cast around Tyrese Haliburton, but their ceiling is capped if they only have one difference-maker on the roster,” Buckley wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “Anunoby, 26, has hinted at having that kind of upside while becoming one of the league’s premier defenders and forever adding to his offensive bag.
“With Haliburton, Anunoby, Myles Turner and Bennedict Mathurin, the Pacers would have a strong core four to build around—assuming they could re-sign Anunoby—with a horde of young players who could force their way into this nucleus. If Anunoby maxes out his two-way potential, he might eventually put this team on a championship track. Brown simply doesn’t offer that kind of upside.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bruce Brown, Indiana Pacers, OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors Updates
Brown signed a two-year, $45 million contract with the Pacers this summer. He was an unrestricted NBA free agent after declining his 2023-24 player option with the Denver Nuggets. The Miami product averaged 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists for the Nuggets in 2022-23 while shooting 48.3% from the field, 35.8% from beyond the arc and 75.8% from the free-throw line.
In the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat, Brown put up 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. The Boston native averaged 11.4 points, 4.4 boards and 1.0 assists in the NBA Finals versus the Heat. Denver beat Miami in five games to capture its first NBA title in franchise history.
Brown has career NBA averages of 8.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists with the Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets and Nuggets. He has improved his game every year he’s been in the NBA and it appears the Pacers really wanted to get him based on the lucrative contract they offered him.
Anunoby averaged 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists last season for the Raptors while shooting 47.6% from the floor, 38.7% from 3 and 83.8% from the foul line. He is eligible to sign a four-year, $116 million extension with Toronto.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bruce Brown, Indiana Pacers, OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors Updates
Anunoby has career NBA averages of 11.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists. He won the 2019 championship with the Raptors over the Golden State Warriors in six games.
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