Raptors waive Armoni Brooks after brief tenure in Toronto

The Toronto Raptors signed a collection of role players, including famed actor Juancho Hernangomez, to short, non-guaranteed deals with the goal of battling it out in training camp for one of the final roster spots. Armoni Brooks figured to number among that group.

After the Houston Rockets decided to cut bait with the 3-point marksman, Toronto gave him a shot at a time when their lack of guard depth was a critical weakness. While he wasn’t prime Ray Allen, Brooks was somewhat effective in the limited role he received.

While Dalano Banton likely has a leg up in the fight for one of the final roster spots, Brooks had a puncher’s chance of making the roster. At least, fans thought he did. Masai Ujiri decided that Brooks was not a fit at this point in time and ended his Toronto tenure.

Brooks was waived by Toronto, per Blake Murphy. Brooks’ guaranteed money was set to increase on August 1, so the Raptors opted to part with him rather than allow the sniper guard to compete for a spot on the roster. Brooks will likely get a shot to make a 15-man roster elsewhere in the NBA.

The Toronto Raptors parted ways with Armoni Brooks.

After averaging 11.2 points per game in his rookie season with Houston, thanks to a 38% success rate on 3-pointers, Brooks regressed hard and was eventually cut. Toronto picked him up in the second half, and he proved to be a serviceable bench option despite some puzzling stats.

Brooks connected on just 28% of his 3-pointers. However, there was some optimism around him after he proved to be a better defender and passer than initially thought. All Brooks had to do was rediscover his 3-point shot and give Toronto some assurance he would return to his old form. He failed to do so.

Brooks averaged 13.8 points per game in Summer League, but he made just 27.5% of his 3-pointers despite attempting 10 per game. If he isn’t knocking down 3-pointers, whatever improvements Brooks may have made as a defender will not help him make the roster.

In a league that values shooting more than ever before, some team will be desperate enough to take a flier on Brooks. While he gave Toronto some solid minutes towards the end of the season, Ujiri didn’t think that his play was dominant enough to warrant another chance with the Raptors.