Raptors' Brown: 'I want to play with these guys'

Bruce Brown went to the media Saturday to assure fans he wants to be a member of the Toronto Raptors and compete for the city.

"I know a lot of fans didn't think I played with a lot of energy (last season) and I didn't want to be here," Brown told Sportsnet's Savanna Hamilton. "That's what I've seen on social media. But I do want to be here. I want to play with these guys."

The Raptors acquired Brown last season in the deal that sent Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers. In 34 games in Toronto, the sixth-year guard averaged 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. Over his 33 contests in Indiana, the 28-year-old averaged 12.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists.

Brown says his health was the reason he didn't play to the best of his abilities last campaign.

"Last year I didn't look really engaged or not a lot of energy like I (had) on previous teams," Brown added. "It's just because I was playing on one leg."

The former Miami Hurricane said he chose not to deal with his injury during the season because the Raptors "had so many guys out" during the 2023-24 campaign.

"That's just not how I'm built. Like if I can go out there and play, I can go out there and play," said Brown, per Hamilton. "So if I can push through it - it was tough - (and) obviously it didn't look good some of the times. I didn't perform the way I was supposed to."

Toronto picked up Brown's $23-million team option in the offseason, but he has yet to suit up in 2024-25 after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in September.

He returned to practice as a full participant on Nov. 20 and will need to ramp up before returning to competition, according to TSN's Josh Lewenberg.

The Raptors are in the midst of a two-game winning streak and sit 13th in the Eastern Conference with a 4-12 record. They take on the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday.