The Indiana Pacers didn’t make any massive changes to their roster this summer, but they did tweak things a bit. In addition to drafting Jarace Walker with the eighth pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, they also signed Bruce Brown.
Brown signed on with the Pacers on a two-year, $45 million contract that includes a team option in the second season. It’s a relatively low-risk, high-reward move.
Grade the Trade: Indiana Pacers trade Bruce Brown to Toronto Raptors for OG Anunoby in mock deal
However, when discussing trades each NBA team could make to ditch their worst contract, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report called the deal an overpay and included him in a deal.
Here is the trade Buckley suggested:
Rumblings of the Pacers’ interest in OG Anunoby have swirled all offseason long, dating back to the draft when the rumor was that Indiana could include the eighth pick in a potential deal.
Anunoby just wrapped up an extremely impressive season that saw him land on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. He averaged 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 47.6% from the field and 38.7% from behind the three-point line.
The 26-year-old would be a solid addition next to Tyrese Haliburton and would likely play a role similar to the one Indiana is hoping Brown can provide.
As for the Toronto Raptors, their future is murky. It seems as though the franchise’s overwhelming desire to compete is getting in the way of what should be a rebuilding phase. Regardless, they’re in a weird spot.
Let’s take a look at this trade from both sides and grade it for each team involved.