The Milwaukee Bucks need assistance, but they are short on options. They do not have any first-round picks to give, but they do have other rotation players available if they require an upgrade. Bruce Brown, a winger for the Toronto Raptors, is one probable upgrade. Alex Khov of Brew Hoops proposed a four-way deal to send Brown to the Bucks.
In a January 29 report, Khov described a four-way deal involving the Bucks, Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers, and New York Knicks.
Bucks receive Brown and Jaxson Hayes.
Pat Connaughton, Ryan Arcidiacono, and Quentin Grimes will join the Lakers.
Knicks acquire D’Angelo Russell and Bobby Portis.
Raptors acquire Evan Fournier, MarJon Beauchamp, and the 2024 Knicks first-round pick.
Khov highlighted how Brown will improve the Bucks’ backcourt.
“Given his versatility, inserting Brown into the starting backcourt next to Damian Lillard would allow Malik Beasley more scoring opportunities with the second unit and perhaps make it more potent,” Khov went on to say.
More precisely, Khov described how Brown may assist the Bucks defensively.
“In fact, deploying Brown as a defense-first menace across could help alleviate other issues the Bucks have been facing,” Khov noted in an email. “Having Brown on the court could instill more confidence in one-on-one defence outside of the perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidates on the roster and allow Antetokounmpo to stay nearer to the weak side glass where he can more effectively rebound and shot-block rather than potentially being drawn out to the perimeter.”
Brown helped the Denver Nuggets win the championship in 2023 and has no place on the Raptors’ rebuilding roster. Getting him at the expense of Portis and Connaughton would be difficult, but the Bucks require defensive reinforcements. More precisely, they require assistance in that area without jeopardizing their offence.
Bruce Brown’s Reported Price May Be Too High
Trading for Bruce Brown may prove difficult for the Bucks. NBA Insider Marc Stein revealed what it would take to get Brown away from the Raptors.
“The Raptors’ asking price for teams interested in acquiring Bruce Brown has been described as a future first-round pick and a quality player … at a minimum,” Stein wrote in an article published on January 21.
If this is correct, he may be too expensive for the Bucks. However, it is only if they discuss a trade with the Raptors. Stein also stated that the Raptors are aware of their leverage in trade negotiations for Brown’s talents.
“Toronto knows that a variety of contending teams are interested in Brown, noting his contributions to Denver’s title run last season, making the Raptors hopeful they can spark some robust bidding for a player with both championship pedigree and a team-friendly contract.”
Matisse Thybulle and PJ Tucker Called Bucks Targets.
The Bucks are keeping their options open. Bruce Brown may not be the one they end up with, but they are looking for other wings. Yahoo sports! Jake Fischer suggested that the Bucks may use Connaughton and Cam Payne to acquire one of two specific wings.
“The combined $12.5 million salary between Connaughton and Payne would put Milwaukee in position to land several targets, such as Portland wing Matisse Thybulle and Clippers forward P.J. Tucker,” Fischer wrote in a story published on January 24, 2017.
The Bucks definitely want assistance. It remains to be seen who they can obtain and how.
