Rumors: Memphis tagged as ‘sleeper team’ for Bruce Brown

The Memphis Grizzlies are being identified as a potentially significant suitor for one of the NBA's coveted role players.

According to sources of Jakoba Reynolds, the Grizzlies are one of the "sleeper teams" that has to be monitored for a possible trade involving Toronto Raptors veteran Bruce Brown.

Brown's 2023-24 season background

Brown, 28, split his 2023-24 season for the Toronto Raptors and the Indiana Pacers. Following his 2023 NBA championship victory with the Denver Nuggets, the former Miami Hurricanes star joined Indiana in a reported $45MM deal for two years, only to be eventually shipped by the club in January to the North for the blockbuster acquisition of All-Star forward Pascal Siakam.

In 67 combined games as a Pacer and a Raptor, Bruce averaged 10.8 points, 4.2 boards, and 2.9 assists in 27.9 minutes of play. He also shot 47.8 percent from the field and drained 32.3 percent from the three-point distance.

Brown remains shelved in the Raptors' recovery chamber as he underwent arthroscopic surgical procedure on his right knee in late September. He is expected to miss the entire preseason but is assumed to be available and healthy at the start of the new 2024-25 campaign.

Weighing Memphis' potential trade situation for Brown

Given his do-it-all approach and savvy experience as a member of a recent championship-winning team, Brown stands as an intriguing name that is being linked to the Grizzlies. He would be a solid addition to consider in the wake of the team's desperate need of an additional ball handling unit and a possible wing piece upon the early season inactivities of GG Jackson II and Vince Williams Jr. Brown proved himself as a topnotch role player with his versatility, and having him in Memphis can only be tremendous in the team's title-contending chances.

However, the Grizzlies must meet specific criteria to acquire Brown's services. They have to match his $23MM salary and even follow the Raptors' steep demands for critical assets, which may include draft capital that will help them move forward in their youth program led by Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley.

The new NBA season has yet to unfold, which will serve as the assessment for the Grizzlies to tackle their urgent needs. For now, we can only wait to see if there will be a significant development in Memphis's reported connection with Brown.

Related: Grizzlies coach shares the status of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.