Breaking News: Lakers Shock Fans by Abruptly Abandoning Trade Pursuit for…
According to NBA insider Matt Moore of Action Network, the Los Angeles Lakers are no longer pursuing a trade for Toronto Raptors guard Bruce Brown.
The Raptors acquired Brown from the Indiana Pacers in the blockbuster Pascal Siakam trade. The Lakers, who almost signed Brown last summer in free agency, have “temporarily moved away” from talks for Brown.
“Multiple sources indicated this week that the Lakers had at least temporarily moved away from talks for Raptors guard Bruce Brown, who they had interest in at the deadline last year,” Moore wrote in his latest NBA column. “There continues to be nothing but billowing smoke from the idea of a Lakers trade for Klutch client Dejounte Murray in Atlanta, but talks reached an impasse recently with the Hawks holding the line at Austin Reaves and the Lakers continuing to refuse his inclusion. Reaves’ recent level of play certainly lowers the likelihood of him being traded.”
Brown is averaging 11.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.4 blocks this season while shooting 47.2% from the field, 33.3% from beyond the arc and 83.3% from the free-throw line. He’s making $22 million.
Brown signed a two-year, $45 million contract with the Pacers last summer in unrestricted free agency. He has a club option worth $23 million for next season.
Brown has career averages of 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks with the Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets, Denver Nuggets, Pacers and Raptors. He helped the Nuggets win the 2023 NBA title over the Miami Heat in five games.
The Lakers could call the Raptors again about a Brown trade before the trade deadline, which is on February 8. Brown nearly signed with Los Angeles last offseason before ultimately joining Indiana.
The Lakers are 25-25 on the season. They are in ninth place in the Western Conference standings. Meanwhile, the Raptors are 17-31. They are in 12th place in the East.