Grade the Trade: 76ers land NBA champion wing in proposed bargain swap

Why the 76ers should trade for Bruce Brown

With Brown signed to a conditional contract with a club option next season, he’s basically one of the biggest rentals available this season. Clearly, Philly won’t have to risk shaving off a chunk of their financial flexibility in the offseason should they strike a deal for him.

On the court, Brown is the textbook definition of a utility player. His main selling point is defense, as he touts useful malleability with his ability to latch onto guards, wings, and even forwards in spurts. He’s particularly heady on that end, and his championship DNA should be a hell of a locker room boost.

Offensively, outside of volume scoring, he can be penciled in as a nightly X-factor. He’s a viable ball handler and initiator, and has shown massive improvement in his three-point accuracy and willingness to shoot the rock. Compared to the more limited Patrick Beverley, he packs more offensive verve. He could also tenably function as a running mate next to Tyrese Maxey in the backcourt.

Realy, the price the 76ers have to pay in this trade proposal won’t even have any recoil. The three outgoing players in the pitched deal are pretty much easy toss-ins. Two second-round picks stand next to nothing considering the potential gains from adding Brown. Better yet, the price shuld stay as is as the Raptors have started blowing it up anyway.