Toronto Raptors: Will Lorenzo Brown have a meaningful role next season?

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 20: Lorenzo Brown #4 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball against the Washington Wizards in Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 20, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Toronto Raptors – Lorenzo Brown (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

Strengths

Last season for the 905, Brown was asked to be a high usage player for a troublesome offense. As a result, his raw statistics look extremely impressive, his efficiency, not so much.

Brown averaged 18.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game. When on the court, he accounted for more than 25-percent of his team’s points and more than 55-percent of his team’s assists.

A 55-percent assist rate is nearly 10-percent higher than the NBA leader, Russell Westbrook. And perhaps Westbrook is his best comparison as a passer. Brown doesn’t throw guys open or have next-level court vision; instead, he creates assists and opportunities for others with his relentless attack of the basket.

He is 6’5″, has a tight handle, and is extremely quick. Brown has every attribute needed to attack the rim and has done so very effectively at lower levels of competition. He will need to prove that he is capable of doing the same against premier elite athletes, but at this point in time, Brown’s ability to penetrate is his best offensive skill.

Defensively, Brown has all the tools to be an above-average to good defender. He’s big, athletic and has extremely quick hands both on the ball and in the passing lanes. Despite his offensive responsibilities, Brown was consistently an above-average defender last season.

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