Pacers Coach Praises Injured Raptors Guard Bruce Brown Ahead of His Return

Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle explains what makes Bruce Brown such a valuable player as he nears his return for the Toronto Raptors

Mar 23, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Bruce Brown (11) dribbles during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images / Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Bruce Brown has never been a flashy player.

There’s no signature three-point stroke or jaw-dropping athleticism in his arsenal. He’s not a high-usage playmaker, and at 6-foot-4, he lacks the size to consistently match up with bigger opponents. It can't be all that surprising he slipped to the second round in 2018 as a generally unremarkable prospect out of Miami.

Yet, Brown’s calling card has always been his versatility and relentless commitment to doing the little things right.

He’s a Swiss Army knife on the court—able to fill gaps as a ball-handler, a scrappy defender, and an opportunistic scorer. That’s why the Denver Nuggets valued him as a key cog during their 2023 NBA Championship run, and part of the reason the Toronto Raptors acquired him from the Indiana Pacers in last season’s Pascal Siakam trade.

The Raptors hoped Brown would bring a stabilizing veteran presence to a young, evolving roster. The plan was simple: showcase Brown’s skills, let his championship pedigree shine, and flip him at the trade deadline for a coveted first-round pick.

But injuries have a way of derailing the best-laid plans.

Brown’s stint in Toronto got off to a rocky start. A nagging right knee injury limited him for much of the second half of the season, sapping the energy and defensive intensity that made him such a valuable player in Denver and Indiana. Toronto’s front office worked the phones leading up to February’s trade deadline but couldn’t land a first-round pick. Instead, offers reportedly included second-round picks, according to HoopsHype, likely tied to contracts that would have cluttered Toronto’s cap sheet.

Without a deal to be made, Brown finished the season as a Raptor, limping through a disappointing campaign before opting for offseason knee surgery.

Now, nearly a year after arriving in Toronto, Brown is ramping up his activity and targeting a return in the coming weeks. And once again, the Raptors find themselves in a familiar position: gauging the market for the 28-year-old guard as the trade market begins to heat up in the coming weeks.

The challenge in trading Brown lies not in his talent, but in his price tag. His $23 million contract is no small hurdle, particularly for contending teams that view him as a rotational upgrade rather than a cornerstone.

Still, Brown’s appeal is undeniable. For a playoff-bound team, he’s the kind of reliable glue guy who can shore up a rotation. His ability to switch defensively, attack closeouts, and thrive in high-pressure moments makes him an intriguing option for contenders searching for an edge.

“He was one of the reasons we got off to a good start,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Tuesday night. “Really just one of the ultimate pro guys. I thoroughly enjoyed being around him. He’s a man’s man. He’s a solider for the team. Hope he makes a speedy and full recovery from his injury because I just think he’s a special guy and he’s a champion too.”

The market will ultimately decide what Brown is worth, but if last season’s offers are any indication, Toronto may need to temper its expectations. Multiple second-round picks may be the ceiling unless Brown shows he’s fully healthy before February.

For the Raptors, trading Brown isn’t just about adding future assets—it’s about flexibility. Toronto has long valued maintaining financial flexibility and this trade deadline is unlikely to be any different. Moving Brown without taking back long-term salary will be key to preserving that vision.

What’s clear is that Bruce Brown’s story in Toronto is not over quite yet. His return will offer a glimpse of what he can still bring to the table—either as a trade asset or a steadying force in a Raptors jersey.