NBA Rumors: Raptors Eye Scottie Barnes Contract, Plan to Pick Up Bruce Brown's Option | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

The Toronto Raptors are set to have a busy offseason.

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that the Raptors are "expected to exercise Bruce Brown's $23 million team option and use him as a trade chip entering the offseason." Additionally, Scotto reported that Toronto "will also look to extend All-Star forward Scottie Barnes this summer."

Brown averaged 10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 62 games for the Raptors in 2023-24. The club option is for $23 million and he will hit unrestricted free agency following 2024-25.

Barnes averaged 19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.1 assists in 60 games in 2023-24. Barnes is currently set to play on a club option for $10.1 million in 2024-25 before becoming a restricted free agent following the season.

The Raptors went 25-57 and missed out on the postseason for the second consecutive season. The team's original first round pick belongs to the San Antonio Spurs at No. 8, but the Raptors do have the No. 19 pick it acquired by dealing away Pascal Siakam.

With this in mind, a player like Brown may not fit into the long-term plans of the team and recouping some younger talent, or potentially another draft pick, could be appealing. He could also be a solid pickup for a contending team as a rental option.

Barnes, the No. 4 pick from 2021, is someone Toronto is looking to build around and locking him up will be crucial to constructing a roster than can return to the postseason.