$95 Million Ex-Nuggets Champion has just Being Traded ‘Quickly’: Report

Ex-Nuggets Champion to Be Sold for $45 Million “Quickly,” Per Report

In a few months, a former Denver Nuggets champion might be playing for a new team. Bruce Brown, who divided the 2023–24 season between the Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers, is expected to be moving this offseason.

Not long after the NBA Draft, Doug Smith of The Toronto Star detailed what Brown’s future holds.

The Raptors can exercise an option on the $23 million (U.S.) he is owed for the upcoming season until June 29 (two days after the draft), at which point they can put the coveted expiring contract on the market.

According to a few league insiders, the Raptors are more likely to exercise Brown’s option and deal him soon rather than waiting until the 2025 trade deadline, Smith reported in a story published on May 17.

Following his title-winning performance with the Nuggets, Brown signed a two-year, $45 million contract with the Pacers. Brown participated in 33 games prior to his trade to the Raptors for Pascal Siakam by the Pacers. Then, he participated in 34 Toronto games. The Raptors had to make a decision regarding Brown’s future because they were unable to qualify for the playoffs due to their squad being essentially decimated.

Bruce Brown’s Present Net Worth in the NBA
Smith provided an overview of Brown’s performance with the Raptors in his report. Put simply, he didn’t give a very good performance for them.

Now, Brown’s tenure with the Raptors—he joined the team on January 17 as part of Pascal Siakam’s trade with the Indiana Pacers—hasn’t exactly been spectacular. Following the season, he revealed that he was having knee problems. But whether he had health issues or not, his influence was insignificant.

Smith stated that Brown’s past with the Nuggets makes him a trade value, notwithstanding his issues with the Raptors.

“Talk about this week’s draft combine, though, is that Brown could bring a useful piece in return and is still considered valuable as a decent rotation player on a good team like he was in Denver in 2022–2023.”

Brown contributed significantly to the Nuggets’ rotation, which helped them capture their first championship in 2023. Brown shot 31.6% from three-point range and 51.1% from the field in 20 games, scoring 12 points a night on average. Against the Miami Heat, he scored 21 points, which gave the Nuggets a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals.

In 2023, the Pacers handed him a substantial salary increase of $45 million. Brown never had the opportunity to complete his duty, but with his next club, he could.
The Raptors will owe Brown $23 million if they choose to exercise his option for the 2024–25 campaign. Since Denver doesn’t have any players that are expendable and make enough money to pay him back, it is probably impossible for them to get him again.

But, Brown’s value might drop enough if he has another lackluster season that the Nuggets might sign him to a cheap contract.