Bucks Eyeing Bruce Brown to Reclaim Top Spot
To return to the top, the Milwaukee Bucks must explore all possible options, including trading established players for potential upgrades. One such player is Bruce Brown, who helped the Denver Nuggets win a title in 2023 and has been highlighted as a hidden gem by The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor.
O’Connor praises Brown’s versatility, noting, “Brown is a super versatile defender, a tone-setter, a rebounder, and a scrappy do-it-all maestro on offense. Every team should want Bruce Brown.” He suggests Brown would be an ideal fit for the Bucks and outlines a potential trade scenario.
“There are rumors that the Bucks want to adopt a more versatile defensive style next season, which casts doubt on Brook Lopez’s future with the team. Trading Lopez for Brown would match their salaries perfectly, allowing the Raptors to potentially trade Lopez elsewhere. Brown’s ability to screen and cut would greatly complement Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.”
Brown is likely to enter the second year of his two-year, $45 million contract with the Toronto Raptors. Both Brown and Lopez will earn $23 million for the 2024-25 season, making a trade feasible.
Bruce Brown Likely to Find New Team: Reports
O’Connor also noted that Brown is expected to be traded before the 2024-25 season starts. “League sources anticipate the Raptors will pick up Brown’s option this summer and then look to trade him, given he will be 28 next season and the Raptors are rebuilding.”
The Toronto Star’s Doug Smith first reported this likelihood, stating, “The Raptors have until June 29 (two days after the draft) to exercise an option on the $23 million he’s owed next season — a valuable expiring contract to put on the market. League sources believe the Raptors will pick up the option and trade Brown quickly rather than waiting until the 2025 trade deadline.”
The Bucks, facing the NBA’s second tax apron, can only trade for Brown using one matching contract.
Impact of a Bruce Brown Trade for the Bucks
Trading Lopez for Brown would make the Bucks smaller, likely shifting Giannis Antetokounmpo to center unless another trade is made. While this change might not immediately make the Bucks favorites, it addresses several key issues.
Lopez, at 36, is nearing the end of his peak performance. Additionally, the Bucks’ current strategy hasn’t yielded significant playoff success in the last three years, with just one playoff series win since their 2021 title. Despite some setbacks due to injuries, consecutive first-round exits indicate a need for change. Trading for Brown could offer a fresh approach and potentially improve the team’s performance.
