Trade Proposal Sends Andrew Wiggins To Raptors, Bruce Brown To Warriors

One NBA analyst proposed that the Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors make a trade with each other this offseason. 

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Warriors and Raptors:

The trade: The Toronto Raptors trade Bruce Brown to the Golden State Warriors for Andrew Wiggins

Wiggins averaged 13.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.6 blocks this season for the Warriors while shooting 45.3% from the field, 35.8% from beyond the arc and 75.1% from the free-throw line. The NBA champion will make $26.3 million next season. 

The Raptors acquired Brown from the Indiana Pacers in the blockbuster Pascal Siakam trade. Brown finished this season with averages of 10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.3 blocks in 67 games with the Pacers and Raptors while shooting 47.8% from the field, 32.3% from beyond the arc and 82.4% from the free-throw line. 

Brown has a club option worth $23 million for next season. According to NBA insider Doug Smith of The Toronto Star, the Raptors plan to trade Brown this offseason. 

“The Raptors could try flipping him for a future-focused package of picks and/or prospects, but maybe they sense a quick turnaround is doable with the Scottie Barnes–RJ Barrett–Immanuel Quickley core,” Buckley wrote. “Maybe they’d be drawn to someone whom they simply plan on keeping longer than Brown.

“Wiggins, a Toronto native, could be that player. At 29, he’s a touch older than Toronto’s nucleus, but he’s only two seasons removed from being the second-best player on a world champion. He could have more prime years in front of him, despite what his rocky 2023-24 campaign might suggest.

“If Wiggins can bounce back, there’s some bargain potential in a trade here, especially if the Warriors see Brown’s expiring contract as enough of a return.”

The Warriors and Raptors missed the playoffs this year. 

Wiggins has career averages of 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.7 blocks with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Warriors. He was the first pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. 

Meanwhile, Brown has career averages of 8.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks with the Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets, Denver Nuggets, Pacers and Raptors. He helped Denver win the 2023 championship over the Miami Heat.