NEWS UPDATE: Top Guard’s Injury Puts Raptors’ Trade and Rebuild Strategy on Hold.
The Toronto Raptors will be without a key player at the start of training camp, as Bruce Brown will undergo a re-evaluation in three weeks following arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.
Brown, who was traded to the Raptors in a deal that sent Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers in January, played 34 games with Toronto during the 2023-24 season. The 28-year-old swingman averaged 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game while shooting 48.1% from the field.
Before his stint with the Raptors, Brown signed a two-year, $45 million contract with the Pacers after helping the Denver Nuggets win the 2022-23 NBA Championship. During Denver’s title run, he was an essential piece off the bench, contributing as a secondary ball handler and playmaker to ease the load on Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
Brown is set to make $23 million in the 2024-25 season after Toronto exercised his team option. He will become an unrestricted free agent the following summer.
Despite his contributions, Brown is not expected to be part of Toronto’s long-term plans. There was speculation the Raptors intended to trade him for additional assets, as the team is focusing on rebuilding with younger talent.
However, Brown’s injury complicates his trade value, making it more challenging for Toronto to find a suitable deal.
The Raptors are in the early phases of their rebuild, having recently extended Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley on five-year deals. They also acquired Davion Mitchell via trade and signed Bruno Fernando in free agency, with RJ Barrett, Gradey Dick, and Ja’Kobe Walter all expected to be key pieces for the future.
