A player that the New York Knicks have been linked to ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline made a not-so-subtle pitch to join the team after playing them this weekend.
The Knicks were the first team to make a big splash in the trade market this season when they swung a blockbuster deal for 3-and-D stud OG Anunoby. And the move has seemed like a stroke of genius as the defensive ace has fit in seamlessly with his new team and they have won nine of their last 11.
However, it is unlikely New York is done making deals this year. In the trade for Anunoby, they weakened their bench by sending talented sixth man Immanuel Quickley to Toronto. Since the move, there has been speculation about what players they could target to boost their reserves for the postseason and Denver Nuggets veteran Bruce Brown Jr. is one name linked to the team.
Brown Jr. signed a notable free agent contract with the Indiana Pacers this summer but was recently traded to the Raptors in the deal that sent All-Star Pascal Siakam to Indy. There is a belief around the league Toronto could soon move Brown Jr. again.
The Raptors faced the Knicks on Saturday and the former Brooklyn Nets player was asked about the possibility of being traded back to New York, and he unexpectedly made a pitch for why he is a good fit for the system of head coach Tom Thibodeau.
“I play extremely hard. I would think [I’m] the type of player that he likes.” Brown Jr. said after the Knicks 126-100 win over the Raptors. “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.”
