Raptors' Bruce Brown Hypes Himself for Knicks HC Tom Thibodeau amid NBA Trade Rumors

Newly-acquired Toronto Raptors guard Bruce Brown is a fan of rumors that the New York Knicks are considering him as a trade option.

"I am a dog," Brown told the New York Post's Jared Schwartz after the Raptors' 126-100 Saturday night loss to the Knicks. "I play extremely hard on both ends of the floor. I can do just about whatever [Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau] needs me to do."

Brown told Schwartz he had spoken with the Knicks after helping the Denver Nuggets win the franchise's NBA championship in June, but New York couldn't match the Indiana Pacers' offer of $45 million over two years.

During those talks, Brown learned Thibodeau "has long been an admirer of his," according to Schwartz.

"I play extremely hard," Brown said. "I would think [I'm] the type of player that he likes... Every time we play Thibs I go up to him and shake his hand, just because of what he's done. Nothing but respect for Thibs."

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Friday that the Knicks were part of a "big market" interested in acquiring Brown, who on Wednesday was dealt from the Pacers as part of the Pascal Siakam trade.

Brown, who entered this season with a $22 million cap hit, has a $23 million team option remaining on his contract for 2024-25.

That means Brown's contract could potentially serving as salary-matching tool for trades during the Knicks' upcoming offseason, while in the short term Brown himself could thrive as a backcourt partner for Jalen Brunson.

Brown is averaging 12.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 35 games with the Pacers and Raptors so far this season.