It’s confusing to understand who’s in a greater dilemma: Rob Pelinka or the Toronto Raptors. There’s one name at the heart of their shared troubles—Bruce Brown. For the Raptors, Brown is a crucial piece, anchoring their small forward position. Meanwhile, the Lakers see him as a potential lifeline, an answer to Gabe Vincent’s increasingly problematic performances.  But here’s where the story takes a sharp turn: despite both teams’ interest, neither may have a say on what the future holds.

Rob Pelinka‘s quiet offseason finally showed some life when rumors of Bruce Brown’s trade surfaced. But just as things seemed to move forward, the Raptors’ guard may have added salt to the Lakers’ wounds. Recently, the 28-year-old underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. He had been battling the injury for some time. Now, just before training camp, Brown’s decision to prioritize recovery could throw a wrench into Pelinka’s plans. The timing couldn’t be worse, and it might shake the Lakers’ strategy to its core.

Locked on Lakers‘ hosts, the Kam Brothers, noted that Bruce Brown will surely miss training camp. However, the Raptors would hope to have him on the court “before the end of the month-long preseason. And he won’t miss much of the regular season that begins October 23rd.” This simply means the 28YO won’t be around when the trades hit the deadline. Therefore, Rob Pelinka must strike Brown off his ‘dream team’.

The Raptors guard makes around $23 M which is “a very DLo-friendly salary,” reminded the hosts. Had the trade happened, Rob Pelinka could’ve landed Bruce Brown for under $25M without straining the Lakers’ salary cap. Now, those chances look slimmer than ever. Moreover, the Raptors wouldn’t have to commit very long to D’Angelo Russell, according to the Kam Brothers. Also, the speculations around nobody considering the team from the north of the borders to be a potential title contender isn’t the mindset they’ve been looking for.

Meanwhile, as trading DLo or Gabe Vincent for Bruce Brown seems potentially off the table, Rob Pelinka has limited options. The Lakers’ front office appears to be in desperate need of a revamped squad and eliminating the poorly contributing individuals would be the first step toward it. Unfortunately, this doesn’t seem to be happening anytime soon.

Rob Pelinka saw Bruce Brown as the ideal fix for his underperforming hoopers

One of the primary reasons Rob Pelinka had his sights set on Bruce Brown was the confidence Brown brings in his own abilities. The Los Angeles Lakers, a franchise with a storied legacy, have been in a slump since their championship win in 2020, and Pelinka knows the team needs a serious overhaul. With big-name players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis re-signed, and the addition of rising star Bronny James, the Lakers are on a quest to rejuvenate their roster.

However, certain players haven’t met expectations, and Gabe Vincent stands out in that regard. His 2023-24 season stats—3.1 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists over 11 games—paint a picture of a player who has struggled to contribute meaningfully. In contrast, Bruce Brown, who posted 10.8 points per game, along with 4.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists over 80 games, looks like a much better fit for the Lakers’ needs. While Brown’s numbers may not be overwhelming, his versatility and defensive prowess make him a stronger option than the underperforming Vincent.

Brown’s ability to fill multiple roles on the floor, coupled with his defensive strengths, makes him a solid backup plan if Vincent continues to falter. With an expiring contract and the Toronto Raptors’ loaded perimeter rotation, Brown could be a valuable trade asset. If he fully recovers, the Lakers could negotiate from a position of strength, possibly using draft compensation to sweeten the deal. The real question is whether Pelinka is willing to take the gamble and wait for the 28-year-old to recover, or if the Lakers will start the 2024-25 season without him.

As suspense continues to build, the Lakers’ offseason remains full of uncertainty. Without any major new additions, Pelinka and the front office are faced with some tough decisions. The Raptors, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back from a disappointing season, adding more intrigue to what lies ahead. The upcoming season for both teams is shrouded in mystery, and only time will tell what moves Pelinka makes to bring the Lakers back to their former glory.