Report: Raptors likely to trade Brown around draft

The Toronto Raptors are likely to trade veteran swingman Bruce Brown around June's NBA draft after picking up his $23-million team option, league sources told Doug Smith of the Toronto Star.

The Raptors have until June 29 - two days after the second round of the draft - to exercise his option.

Brown, 27, had a down season compared to his championship-winning campaign with the Denver Nuggets in 2022-23. He averaged 9.6 points on 48% field-goal shooting, along with 3.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 34 games with Toronto.

The Raptors acquired Brown from the Indiana Pacers in January as part of the trade package for franchise stalwart Pascal Siakam. Indiana was expected to flip the 3-and-D wing to a contender at the trade deadline but decided against it.

Trading Brown would give the Raptors more financial flexibility in the offseason, as point guard Immanuel Quickley and wing Gary Trent Jr. will be free agents. All-Star forward Scottie Barnes is also eligible for a rookie extension.

Toronto lost its first-round pick this season to the San Antonio Spurs because of protections in the 2023 trade involving Jakob Poeltl. The team is still slated to pick at Nos. 19 and 31 in June.