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

Expectations this season

Lorenzo Brown is the fourth-string point guard on a partially guaranteed, minimum contract. Short of making the roster (his guarantee is relatively sizable), there aren’t much in terms of expectations for Brown this season.

Of course, this can all change in a moments notice. One rolled ankle, one slip on a wet-spot, one mysterious quad injury, and Brown may be asked to step in.

It’s a tough ask, receiving little time throughout the year and being ready when called upon in a moments notice. But that is the life of a fringe-roster talent in the NBA. Brown is in a contract year, and if he is not able to perform in his very limited time on the court, it’s very likely it could be his last in the NBA.

Toronto is hoping to rely on Brown very little this season, but in a contact sport with high-flying athletes, even players on the end of the bench sometimes need to play a role for stretches.

Last season the Boston Celtics were forced to rely on Shane Larkin and  Abdul Nader as their starting point guard for key games.  If Toronto is in a similar situation this season, the difference between homecourt advantage in a critical playoff series might be… Lorenzo Brown.