The Los Angeles Lakers have been patiently waiting for the ideal trade target to come along. A recent update proves Bruce Brown Jr. could be the answer.

Toronto Raptors v Chicago Bulls / Michael Reaves/GettyImages

The Los Angeles Lakers have been biding their time and preparing for the right trade to come along. It’s been a lesson in patience in the face of adversity, as critics have been vocal in their belief that general manager Rob Pelinka is letting LeBron James down.

As Pelinka waits patiently and evaluates his options, a recent report has inadvertently offered a contingency plan if injuries persist with a key Lakers guard.

Los Angeles’ free agency activity was limited to re-signing Max Christie and LeBron James. There were endless rumors linking the Lakers to the biggest names on what can be be described as a watered down market featuring current and former All-Stars who are close to exiting their prime.

Pelinka isn’t finished with the construction of the 2024-25 roster, however, with Jovan Buha of The Athletic reporting that the team is open to a consolidation trade.

As such, the Lakers may yet execute a trade ahead of the season with the simple intention of clarifying roles and enabling their most valued players to receive more minutes. The most likely outcome, however, is that an impact acquisition will be made closer to the 2025 NBA trade deadline.

Thankfully, an all-but-perfect candidate has emerged for the Lakers to consider should Gabe Vincent endure another injury-plagued season: Bruce Brown Jr. of the Toronto Raptors.

Bruce Brown Jr.’s surgery makes him an even better Lakers trade target

Brown has spent the past six seasons redefining traditional definitions of positions with his unique style of play. He’s played everywhere from point guard to power forward, with the speed, agility, explosive leaping ability, and strength to hold his own against almost any matchup.

Unfortunately, injuries plagued Brown throughout the 2023-24 season, and he’ll now undergo a surgery that he hopes will put the finishing touches on his recovery process.

For those wondering just how bad the injury was, Brown told Lindsay Dunn of CityNews Toronto that he was essentially playing on one leg this past season.

For as brutal as those injuries are, the report of the woes that have been plaguing him actually act as proof of how ideal of a trade candidate he’d be for the Lakers in 2025.

Bruce Brown Jr. is the perfect trade target if Gabe Vincent struggles

While Vincent is entering the second of the three seasons on his contract, Brown will be a free agent in 2025. It’s also unlikely that he’ll re-sign with Toronto, which has a deep perimeter that includes three players it considers franchise cornerstones: Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley.

Toronto also selected guards Gradey Dick at No. 13 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft and Ja’Kobe Walter at No. 19 in the 2024 NBA Draft—suggesting the 28-year-old Brown has become expendable.

The news of his surgery may postpone a potential trade, but it also acts as a new form of leverage for the Lakers to wield in potential negotiations. This would all be null and void if Vincent stays healthy and plays up to his potential in 2024-25, but Brown is something of a trade market safety net.

If Vincent is struggling on the court or unable to remain healthy, then Brown could be the ideal alternative as a player in a similar situation, but with an expiring contract.

There are differences between the two, but both Brown and Vincent excel at attacking off the bounce and either finishing at the rim or knocking down a midrange jump shot. They’re also strong defenders who can defend up in size and position.

If the Raptors are looking for value in return for Brown near the trade deadline, and he’s proven to be back at 100 percent, then the Lakers would have a rare opportunity to negotiate from a position of bargaining power—with second-round draft compensation at their disposal.

In the process, they could bring in a 2023 NBA champion with a proven postseason track record to occupy the role that Vincent has thus far been unable to.