The hunt is on for the Warriors. Following a solid start to the season, their momentum has taken a massive hit and they are currently on a four-game losing streak and rank tenth in the West standings. Sure enough, Joe Lacob is scouring the trade market in search for stars to pair alongside Stephen Curry, hoping to turning things around. Well, two potential options might have opened up in Toronto as former champion Bruce Brown finally made his season debut tonight after a lengthy hiatus.
Brown had been out recovering from an offseason arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. And he finally suited up for the first time this season. His opponents? The Atlanta Hawks. Surprisingly, Brown showed no signs of rust despite not having played in an NBA game since April and he went off for 12 points in nineteen minutes off the bench.
Of course, this performance will surely help increase Brown’s market value, especially because the Raptors are looking to shop him to contending teams ahead of the mid-season trade deadline. And the Warriors could be one of the potential suitors. Yes, Brown is a solid player with proven playoff experience and helped the Nuggets win the championship last year. But his $45 million contract could cause hindrance in the trade as he is owed a whopping $23 million in salary this season.
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Meanwhile, Kelly Olynyk is another Raptors star who Lacob has reportedly shown interest in. As per veteran insider Jake Fischer, “I was told from various NBA executives around the league that Kelly Olynyk was someone the Warriors were targeting at last year’s trade deadline. He would fit their system perfectly.” However, Olynyk also comes at a hefty price as he is in the first year of his $26.2 million contract. And it would require Lacob to give up some key assets to make room for the combined $71 million stars. Fortunately, the Raptors might not be asking for much in return!
Can the Warriors capitalize on the Raptors’ low asking price?
Although Olynyk and Brown are owed a hefty salary, the Raptors might be willing to let them go at a significantly low price. As per veteran insider Marc Stein, “Veterans believed to be available for second-round draft compensation with 39 days to go until the trade deadline include Valančiūnas and Brogdon, Toronto’s Kelly Olynyk and Bruce Brown, and Utah’s Jordan Clarkson.” Yes, the Raptors are reportedly willing to offload their experienced stars on expiring or moving contracts for second-round draft compensation.
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Moreover, they have been open to trading Brown since he arrived in Toronto last season. Unfortunately, they could not secure a first-round compensation in return, which might be the reason their asking price has lowered this time. But that could change if Brown continues to play like he did tonight and ups his value further.
Therefore, Lacob needs to act quick if he wants to get his hands on Brown and Olynyk. Brown is a solid two-way presence with a career average of 8.9 points and over four rebounds. Meanwhile, Olynyk will give the Warriors more length and front court depth. Additionally, he has also been shooting a career-high 47.4% from deep range this season and would be the perfect fit in Steve Kerr’s system. Do you think Lacob should make the Raptors an offer for Olynyk and Brown?