Former Raptors player started planning exit from Toronto the moment he was traded

If there's one thing you could say about former Toronto Raptors player Bruce Brown, it's that he's got no issue with being honest.

Speaking to Andscape's Marc J. Spears in a story published Monday, Brown admitted that the Raptors, and then later New Orleans, perhaps weren't the best fit for him at that point in his career.

Brown has now played for six NBA teams in seven seasons, but was perhaps best known for being a key bench piece on the 2023 champion Denver Nuggets team.

After leaving the Nuggets in free agency, he signed with the Indiana Pacers, who eventually traded him to Toronto as part of a package deal for Pascal Siakam.

Brown spent parts of two seasons in Toronto before eventually being shipped off to the New Orleans Pelicans in another blockbuster deal centred around Brandon Ingram.

"I ended up being traded to teams where they were rebuilding and not really in a position to win a championship. And if you know how I play, I like to win. I don't like to lose," Brown said.

Brown opted to go for what he knew best, signing with the Nuggets in free agency this past summer.

“As soon as I got to Toronto, I thought about coming back to Denver right away."

"The whole time I was in New Orleans, I was thinking about the Nuggets.” - Bruce Brown, via @MarcJSpears

BRUCEY B 🤠

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— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) September 29, 2025

"So, as soon as I got to Toronto, I thought about coming back to Denver right away. Fast forward to getting traded to New Orleans. Another tough spot. A lot of injuries there. And the whole time I was in New Orleans, I was thinking about the Nuggets," Brown admitted to Spears.

Given that Brown didn't have much say in the matter of his trade, it perhaps explains why he was looking to go elsewhere upon his arrival in Toronto. But with a Raptors fanbase that's not exactly known for having short memories for those who speak ill of the town, it'll be interesting to see if Brown's comments have any lasting impact on his relationship with Toronto.