All the news surrounding the Raptors lately has been brooding, which makes sense considering Toronto let go of its fan-favorite front office executive, Masai Ujiri, in a shocking move a few days ago.
But shifting gears now to a bit more positive news to raise the spirits of Raptors Nation, the 2025 NBA Free Agency period is officially underway. While Toronto might not be on the same boat as its competitors — boasting little to no pathways to improve their roster given current financial restraints— there is one free agency move that makes the Raptors' look even better in the process, but you'd easily miss it if you don't know the context.
Veteran wing Bruce Brown, who was used as the primary matching salary piece in Toronto's trade deadline deal to acquire Brandon Ingram from the New Orleans Pelicans, has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Denver Nuggets (the team in which Brown emerged as an X-factor role player key to their 2023 title run).
Bruce Brown leaves Pelicans, making Raptors' Ingram deal look even better
It certainly comes as a bit of a shock, considering that when Brown was acquired by New Orleans, there was mutual interest in his return to the Pelicans as a glue guy and veteran presence to bolster their young core.
However, it makes a little more sense now when you consider that New Orleans is flooded with a melting pot of talent — adding Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey, Jeremiah Fears, and Derik Queen — and looks very different than it did when Brown first joined the roster.
When looking back at what it cost Toronto to obtain Ingram's services back in February: Bruce Brown Jr. (left in free agency), Kelly Olynyk (used in a trade to acquire Poole/Bey from Washington), a 2026 first-round pick via Indiana (re-routed back to the Pacers in a later deal), and a 2031 second-round pick via Toronto (which remains in the Pelicans' list of future draft assets).
Perhaps from the Pelicans' side, if the Poole and Bey acquisitions prove to be impactful moving forward, then in hindsight, the remnants of that Ingram deal might look a bit better on their behalf. But as for the Raptors, they are undoubtedly on the more obvious winning side of this deal, having added Ingram with barely a worthwhile sacrifice to their roster or draft capital.
Sure, Toronto has yet to see BI suit up in Raptors gear, so the trade and their subsequent three-year, $120 million extension to keep him could still blow up in their face.
But it goes without saying, the Raptors handled their pursuit of Ingram in a very cunning way.
Toronto will just have to see what their 2025-26 campaign entails, especially as it will officially mark the first post-Masai Ujiri era of Raptors basketball.