NBA Notebook: Celtics 2024-25 training camp preview

The Celtics open training camp with Media Day on Tuesday one week prior to most of the NBA starting the following week when October begins. Here's a look at where the roster stands as the 2024-25 season gets started. Boston has the rare opportunity to defend its title with 13 players returning from the active championship roster in June. 

Jayson Tatum (27 in March, 8th season, $34.8M): The face of the franchise averaged 26.9 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 4.9 APG, 1.0 SPG and 0.6 BPG on 47.1% shooting last year, his highest mark since his rookie season, while posting his best three-point efficiency since 2021 (37.6%). All that resulted in his most efficient scoring year to date (55.2%). Signed a five-year, $315-million extension that secures him through at least the 2029 season, making this season the last where he'll make 25% of the salary cap before he leaps to 35%. Looking to finish in the top six of MVP voting and First Team All-NBA for the fourth straight season, though an 0-16 Olympic jump shooting skid following a 28.3% three-point shooting postseason leaves questions about his offensive approach to begin the year. His offensive impact was rated in the 97th percentile (+4.0) last regular season while his defense (+0.7, 77th) could reach a higher level. Fell short of Finals MVP despite averaging 22.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG and 7.2 APG to lead the team in all three categories with only 3.2 turnovers per night, the best passing performance of his career. Should be entering his prime. Played 74 games in 2024, which he's done in all five full NBA seasons.

Jaylen Brown (28 in October, 9th season, $49.2M): Becomes the sixth-highest paid player in the NBA as his super-max extension begins, which he affirmed by winning East finals and Finals MVP awards. Brown averaged 23.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 3.3 APG and 2.7 TOV in the playoffs, shooting 51.6% from the field and 32.7% from three. Began last season stressing a return to defense for the Celtics and set a tone on that end throughout, posting a +2.9 EPM (92nd percentile) on that end in the regular season. Luka Dončić shot 9-for-22 when guarded by Brown in the Finals. His 3.6 APG marked a career high and 2.4 TOV his lowest since 2020, a ratio that'll require as much attention to maintain as his defensive impact following past inconsistency in those areas. Both made him an ideal secondary option next to Tatum alongside his pace, quietly one of the three most frequent transition players in the sport with a 1.18 PPP that positioned him in the 59th percentile of the league. A bizarre dive at the free throw line (70.3%) that worsened into the playoffs (66%) should be a point of emphasis, but we're a long way from wondering how he fit into this new-look roster one year ago. 

Derrick White (30, 8th season, $20.1M): Begins his fourth season with the Celtics as one of the best role players in the league, which earned him a four-year, $118 million extension that keeps him in Boston through at least 2028. A back-to-back All-Defensive Second Team guard who had one of the most unique seasons we've seen from a guard on that side of the ball, posting 1.2 BPG, the most by any player at his position in the league. His +1.7 EPM on defense finished in the 91st percentile, while a career-high 39.6% season from three made him a constant threat on offense in his first campaign as the team's point guard. Reached his preseason goal of finishing with a career-high in assists, 5.2 APG, alongside an absurdly low 1.5 TOV for his usage. Erupted in the first round of the playoffs (22.4 PPG, 57.7% FG) before averaging 16.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.1 APG, 0.9 SPG and 1.2 BPG for the playoffs while shooting 40.4% from three. The Celtics suffered three of their worst losses last regular season when he sat. An all-time fan favorite in a short span, his game-winning three in the Game 3 comeback over Indiana in the east finals became one of the signature moments of the team's 2024 championship. 

Jrue Holiday (35 in June, 16th season, $30M): Begins a four-year extension that saved the Celtics in the near term, dropping his cap hit from what would've been close to $40 million under his old deal to $30 million in 2025 with a $37.2 million player option for 2027-28, when he'll be 37. That's only 19.9% of the cap by then, slightly reducing the long-term risk on a generous deal for an aging veteran who didn't slow much last year. Instead, Holiday transitioned from a primary scorer in Milwaukee into a catch-and-shoot marksman (42.9% 3PT), drive-and-kick facilitator (4.8 APG) and an occasional post-up threat against smaller guards. All while making an All-Defensive team for the sixth time in his NBA career. Joe Mazzulla credited Holiday often for quarterbacking a defense that became more dynamic, going to zone looks, pressing and sometimes utilizing Holiday against centers, a luxury with the team's depth at that position a question early this year. You need some luck to win a championship, and landing Holiday for Robert Williams III and Malcolm Brogdon before they declined physically roughly one year ago was a miracle. Keeping him around proved important to extending this window. His Game 3 performance against the Pacers, 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals while playing sick, didn't get enough love. 

Kristaps Porziņģis (29, 10th season, $29.3M): Starts the first of a two-year extension injured following surgery to address a torn retinaculum and dislocated posterior tibialis tendon in his left leg. The Celtics ruled him out for 5-6 months while Brad Stevens noted that it'll be a while before the big man returns, positioning him for a Thanksgiving return on the early side or around Christmas on the long end. Porziņģis posted on Instagram that he's returning from Latvia to rehab with the Celtics this weekend. During a mostly healthy regular season, he translated his growth in Washington to a brutally efficient smaller role in Boston, shooting 51.6% from the field, 37.5% from three and reaching the free throw line 5.3 times per night (85.8%) while blocking 1.9 shots per night on the defensive side. Boston's coaching staff raved about his defensive growth as the team challenged him to play in different coverages while his offensive presence in the post, generating a staggering 1.30 PPP (96th perc.), helped Brown and Tatum grow as playmakers. The Celtics finished 31-6 without him after he fell with a calf injury in the first round and missed most of the playoffs. His injury isn't expected to linger or limit him once he's recovered, but his career has unfortunately shown that you never know which other ailment could be around the corner.

Al Horford (39 in June, 18th season, $9.5M): Effectively started for a championship team throughout the playoffs with Porziņģis out, securing his elusive first ring before returning without considering retirement for his seventh season with the Celtics. Both Jaylen Brown and Jrue Holiday noted that Boston probably relied too much on their veteran rock to defend top opposing bigs, secure rebounds, switch onto opposing guards in the team's more aggressive scheme while hitting 36.8% of his threes throughout the playoffs. While Horford may be capable, the team can't place the full burden of Porziņģis' absence during the first half on Horford, who they effectively reduced to a career-low 26.8 MPG last year on the bench behind Porziņģis. His age shows most when the Celtics have overburdened him, and while off nights during back-to-backs have helped, it'll be tempting for Joe Mazzulla to extend Horford to win close regular season games. Versatile as ever defensively, maintaining his lofty shooting standard (41.9% 3PT) from recent years will key his continued effectiveness on offense. Dealt with a slump early last postseason before his 6-for-13 eruption from deep with 15 rebounds sealed Game 5 against Cleveland. He shot 42.2% from three for the rest of the playoffs in nine games that followed. Family members have told BSJ he hopes to play into his 40s, but 2024-25 marks the end of his current two-year extension. 

Payton Pritchard (27 in January, 5th season, $6.7M): His pair of half-court shots in the Finals became standout moments during an uneven Finals for the emerging veteran on the team who overcame a 2023 demotion and unsuccessful trade request to shine in 2024. Stevens solidified the team's belief in him with a four-year, $30 million extension that begins this season, and Pritchard responded by playing all 82 games, posting a career-high 9.6 PPG and 3.4 APG, while shooting 46.8% from the field and 38.5% from three. Shot 38.3% from deep for the entirety of the playoffs while attempts by opposing teams to target him on defense often fell flat. Luka Dončić shot 2-for-10 against Pritchard in the Finals, a credit to Pritchard's growth into a role after entering the NBA as a star. An unsuccessful deal reportedly nearly sent him to San Antonio for Jakob Poetl in 2023. Not doing so might be Stevens' biggest break as president so far. Pritchard's greatest impact in 2025 could be eating innings and leading wins while the team's vets rest during the year.

Sam Hauser (27 in December, 4th season, $2.1M): Enters this year on the last season of one of the league's current greatest bargain contracts as one of the NBA's best pure shooters. Hauser shot 42.2% from three on his first 844 threes through three seasons and hit 27-of-71 (38%) in his first postseason as a regular contributor, including a crucial 47.8% Finals performance while the Mavs swarmed Brown and Tatum in the paint. Mazzulla had to keep Hauser on the floor for spacing purposes throughout the series and his defensive growth mostly held up, Dončić finishing 10-for-15 against him while Kyrie Irving shot 3-for-9. A four-year, $45 million extension might become a little rich for a team building an all-time salary, but Stevens had to keep him out of unrestricted free agency next summer before deciding what to do with their cap sheet later. Originally a two-way signing, he's now being used as a model for development by the G-League program in Maine as the franchise is poised to need a greater youth infusion once it becomes more expensive. 

Luke Kornet (29, 8th season, $2.1M): Another development feat for the Celtics, Kornet became a reliable depth center in 2024 and even logged some successful playoff minutes through the first two rounds once Porziņģis went down. It's difficult to place Kornet's impact into stats, though his 70% efficiency and 1.0 BPG reached career highs. His fundamentals, screening at the right angle, playing constantly evolving defensive scheme switches on defense and making heady passes, make him a strong fit in Mazzulla's system. He took steps as a rebounder in 2024 too, crashing the offensive glass more aggressively while growing stronger physically. Kornet likely passed up the opportunity to make more total money long-term elsewhere and instead signed a veteran minimum that gives him a de facto no-trade clause this season. He'll begin the year as Horford's backup. 

Xavier Tillman Sr. (26 in January, 5th season, $2.2M): Begins his first full season with the Celtics after re-signing for two years, $4.8 million in a slightly surprising bargain. Tillman dealt with continued left knee inflammation after Boston traded two second-rounders and Lamar Stevens to Memphis for him at the deadline. That further hindered the time he had to acclimate to the team's system on both ends, trying to fit on offense as a corner spacer (28.6% 3PT) and trying multiple positions on defense. His best fit will probably be as a drop-off finisher at the five on offense who beats a smaller defender with an occasional seal. That might limit the total number of opportunities he receives for now, but he's still young enough to expand his game into an eventual Horford replacement. He's already an elite switching defender who rated in the 97th percentile (+2.6 EPM) last year and showed it in the Finals with Porziņģis out, limiting Dončić to 3-for-6 shooting and Irving to 2-for-3. Horford and Tillman's strong 54 minutes together from last (+11.0 net rating) will key the bad matchups for Kornet early, especially with Oshae Brissett likely departed. 

Neemias Queta (25, 4th season, $2.2M): Signed a three-year, $7.2 million contract to stay with the Celtics and continue developing after he agreed to a two-way deal and played almost all the games allowed under it as a quiet revelation at the end of Boston's bench last year. Queta began last season continuing to recover from a summer foot stress fracture, which he aggravated during the preseason, yet filled in admirably midway through the year when Horford, Porziņģis and Kornet missed time. The team didn't trust him defensively enough to log playoff minutes, acquiring Tillman to pad their center depth, missing shots at the rim and fouling alongside other defensive concerns. Hearing DJ MacLeay say that the Celtics experimented with defensive looks that might suit Queta better into 2024-25 was encouraging, because his physical tools, rebounding prowess and even some flashes of vision on the offensive end make him an intriguing center prospect. He also rated well (+23.3 in 61 min.) and should be the next man up when another center is out. 

Jaden Springer (21, 4th season, $4.0M): Young enough to stay patient with his development while entering the final year of his rookie contract, which creates some urgency to show something this season after he played sparingly following his deadline move from Philadelphia to Boston last year. Springer shot 43.3% from the field and 18.2% from three in 17 Celtics appearances, and has shot 22.6% from deep on 53 career attempts. His 3.1 career assists per 36 minutes paired with 2.3 turnovers don't express a ton of hope for playmaking either. A stunning on-ball defensive game and some flashes with his pull-up jumper at Summer League intrigue alongside his age, though. It's hard to find minutes for him when the roster is fully healthy, but the Celtics might be able to experiment with some guard-heavy small lineups on rest nights where Springer can play up defensively, screen and make decisions from the mid-range area. He probably won't succeed as a catch-and-shoot finisher from three or primary initiator. 

Baylor Scheierman (23, rookie, $2.5M): The No. 30 overall pick became Stevens' first selection in the first round as president in June, a prospect they'd long scouted back to his South Dakota State days. Boston previously asked him to return to college and improve his athleticism in 2022, which he did at a higher level at Creighton upon transferring. That made him an ancient draft prospect, but one far likelier to fall to Boston at the end of the first round in 2023. He should play on rest nights during the regular season and could also spend some time in Maine through healthier stretches to work on his defensive game. A Hauser success story on that end might not be possible given his speed, but the Joe Ingles comparison looks apt for now. A slower, more methodical shooter who thrives with the ball in his hands. Scheierman is already such a dazzling passer that bench initiator minutes aren't out of the question. There are some questions here, but a long-ranging three point shot, rebounding prowess and ball skills could make him the steal of the draft. 

Jordan Walsh (21 in March, 2nd season, $1.9M): Like Springer, benefiting from youth while pressured by his contract. The Celtics owe Walsh only $200,000 guaranteed following this year, and they already paid him an NBA minimum contract plus tax to effectively spend the year developing in Maine. That was the plan going into this year too, with limited pro minutes available, but Walsh has to show strides there, after establishing a solid foundation as a rookie that devolved into a bizarrely ineffective second Summer League in July. Walsh shot 29.1% from the field, 13.3% from three and 52.9% at the free throw line in the showcase that usually favors more experienced players. It's not panic time yet, but it should definitely be a wake-up call for Walsh. Figuring out what his NBA role will be and thriving in it with Maine could earn him some looks later in the season. Pressing to play like a star could land him elsewhere next year. The Celtics need players like him to emerge for 2026 and beyond. 

Final roster spot (open): The Celtics left their 15th standard roster spot open per usual, as the highest veteran minimum cap hit will also leave a $10 million tax penalty for the entire season. Since this spot is prorated, they can fill it for a cheaper tax bill later in the season. 

JD Davison (22 in October, 3rd season, 2way): Averaged 21.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 8.5 APG and 1.4 SPG on 46.2% shooting in 44 games with Maine last year, taking a sizable stride over his rookie year before Stevens' desire to retain him paid off into Summer League. Davison, who only shot 31.3% from deep last year, hit 5-of-9 from three in three Vegas appearances. It was a small sample, but another step forward for the young guard who's remained as patient as the team has been with him. Davison said he never considered moving on from Boston this offseason. He'll return to Maine in November. 

Anton Watson (24 in October, rookie, 2way): An intriguing prospect given his 54th overall draft position. The Athletic called him one of the few players in the class who can guard all five positions. His barebones offensive game will present an uphill battle to reaching the court in Boston, but I wouldn't rule it out entirely given the team's depth early in the season. Watson shot 51.1% from the field and 35% from three at Summer League, and more importantly played a restrained catch-and-shoot game that could earn the trust of the coaching staff to play a spot role. Stevens said the Celtics will urge him to shoot more than he ever has before from three after showing a hesitancy to at Gonzaga. He finished 30.7% on 150 tries there in five years, but 21-for-51 (41.2%) in 2024 proved his most aggressive and efficient try yet. 

Drew Peterson (25 in November, 2nd season, 2way): Might be the best player the Celtics can find for their third two-way slot, but his Summer League and a modest G-League performance didn't show much upside beyond league-average three-point shooting and decent ball-handling. A surprise among the eligible camp contenders or players cast off elsewhere could lead to a pivot at this position, but Peterson begins camp as a safe bet to land in Maine.

Lonnie Walker IV (26 in December, 7th season, Exhibit 10): One of the biggest stories of camp will be how Walker IV fell to signing a non-guaranteed training camp deal with Boston after a solid season in Brooklyn. Walker IV is not two-way eligible and all reporting has presented an uphill battle to him making the Celtics in camp. Some of that makes sense as Walker IV rated among the league's worst defenders last year and Boston doesn't have significant minutes to offer a guard. Could Walker IV be willing to spend some time in the G-League to alter his game to impact a championship contender? It's hard to imagine with roster spots likely open around the league following the preseason. Walker IV shot 42.3% from the field and 38.4% from three with Brooklyn last year, averaging 9.7 PPG, 2.2 RPG and 1.3 APG. He and Derrick White spent four years together in San Antonio. 

Ron Harper Jr. (25 in April, 3rd season, Exhibit 10): A shorter bruiser who boasts some three-point shooting. Didn't stand out in the Summer League, though he's returning from nearly one year off the court following shoulder surgery after setting a solid foundation with Toronto's G-League affiliate. Was a great college player at Rutgers and his father Ron played 15 NBA seasons. His brother Dylan Harper is a top 2025 draft prospect (Rutgers).

Tristan Enaruna (24 in June, rookie, Exhibit 10): The Celtics quickly signed him as an undrafted free agent following five college seasons with Kansas, Iowa State and Cleveland State. Entered college from the Netherlands as a highly regarded prospect with noted size and athleticism that culminated in 19.6 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.2 SPG and 0.9 BPG in year five, shooting his best mark (32.2% 3PT). Didn't play much in Summer League, but wouldn't rule out him claiming the team's third two-way slot with a strong camp and preseason. 

Dmytro Skapintsev (27 in May, 3rd season, Exhibit 10): The Celtics acquired his G-League rights for Brandon Slater and Joe Wieskamp, and he's expected to start at center for Maine following two strong seasons with the Westchester Knicks and a solid Summer League in July. The seven-footer averaged 12.1 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 3.3 APG and 1.6 BPG on 53.7% shooting, trying 3.0 attempts from deep per game (30%) last regular season. 

Joe Mazzulla (37 in June, 3rd season as head coach): Analytical, yet flexible approach led to the Celtics becoming one of the most efficient and dominant teams in NBA history. His intensity seemed to drive the group while players aided him by committing to their roles. Nuanced moments in the playoffs like diminishing the Cavs' three-point volume by daring Evan Mobley to beat them inside, embracing pace and playing smaller against the racing Pacers while guarding Dončić one-on-one in the Finals all showed his imprint following his first full offseason. He's focusing on the team's mentality following a title. 

Assistant coaches: Sam Cassell returns for his second season in Boston, taking over for Charles Lee as the Celtics' top assistant. DJ MacLeay, Tony Dobbins and Matt Reynolds, who led the team's successful challenge replay system on the bench, return as now long-time staffers. Amile Jefferson will ascend into his second year working with big men and his former college teammate Tatum. Ross McMains begins his second full season with Boston's staff, Craig Luschenat returns for his third and Tyler Lashbrook will serve as Maine's head coach in his second. God Shammgod Jr., who worked with Mazzulla at Fairmont State, and Da'Sean Butler, a West Virginia assistant who played with Mazzulla there from 2006-10 join the staff in player development alongside former Thunder assistant Nana Foulland, Alex Merg and Phil Pressey, who joined his former team in the video room last year. Blaine Mueller, Maine's 2024 head coach, and development coach Jermaine Bucknor departed with Lee for Charlotte after one year in Boston. 

Here's what else happened around the NBA this week...

Boston: Signed center Dmytro Skapintsev to their 21st and final offseason roster spot after waiving Jordan Schakel last week, inevitably routing Schakel to Maine. Skapintsev is expected to participate in Celtics training camp before likely becoming Maine's center after spending the last two seasons with Westchester, averaging 10.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.8 APG and 1.4 BPG last year in the G-League. Free agent wing Nassir Little reportedly worked out for the team alongside tryouts with the Kings and Warriors. The Celtics begin training camp on Wednesday ahead of their Abu Dhabi trip from Oct. 4-6. Kristaps Porziņģis will return from Latvia this weekend to continue his rehab three months removed from a surgery expected to take 5-6 months to recover from. Media Day takes place on Tuesday at 10 a.m. EST. 

Brooklyn: Ben Simmons is medically cleared to begin training camp after March back surgery. He makes $40.3 million this year in the final season of his contract at 28, his career likely on the line after an injury-riddled stint with the Nets. Simmons played 15 games last year after 42 in the previous and 0 in 2022 between a holdout, physical and mental issues. The franchise will retire Vince Carter's No. 15 in January after he enters the Hall of Fame in October. Officially added Killian Hayes, Tyrese Martin, Amari Bailey and Yongxi Cui to their training camp roster. 

Cleveland: Isaac Okoro celebrated being the last signing broken by retiring ESPN reporting legend Adrian Wojnarowski last week when he signed a three-year, $38 million deal to return to the Cavs in restricted free agency. Wojnarowksi is becoming the general manager of the St. Bonaventure men's basketball program and reportedly left $20 million on the table to walk away from ESPN. 

Golden State: Jonathan Kuminga spoke about taking on an expanded role with the Warriors this year following Klay Thompson's departure, expressing confidence in his three-point shot after a strong finish to the 2023-24 season. He averaged 16.1 PPG and shot 32.1% from deep last year.

"I work on everything. Because I’m a small forward, but I could play any position, so I never just define myself as small forward ... I’m definitely confident,” Kuminga said. “And I just can’t wait to go out there and show people what I’ve been working on and stuff. I mean, it’s always my thing to just work on certain things and get better. And I feel like shooting 3s, I’ve gotten so much better shooting.”

Houston: AJ Griffin and the Rockets agreed to a contract buyout as he considers walking away from basketball after two NBA seasons at 21 with roughly two-years, $6.9 million left on his rookie contract. The Hawks traded him to Houston in June as part of a larger draft night trade. Griffin's participation in offseason workouts and communication with the organization reportedly diminished this summer. He averaged 2.4 PPG last season.

Indiana: Hat tip to Caitlin Clark, whose rookie season invigorated the Indiana Fever after they selected her No. 1 overall and accelerated interest in the WNBA while she became a lightning rod between her fans and detractors. The Fever will begin the playoffs on Saturday at Connecticut at 3 p.m. EST. Clark, the rookie of the year favorite, averaged 19.2 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 8.4 APG and 1.3 SPG on 41.7% shooting. Rick Carlisle praised her and looked ahead to the Pacers building on their east finals appearance with NBA.com.

"Having Pascal (Siakam) from Day 1 will be huge," he said. "Our front office was able to get the majority of our players re-signed, our free agents. We’ve got a tough schedule out of the gate – our first 10 or 12 games are road-heavy — so we’ll have our hands full." 

Memphis: After a worrisome tease of the NBA's alternative uniforms this season, at least the Grizzlies rolled out something worth being excited about. 

Milwaukee: Zach Lowe has shared pessimism around the league about the Bucks this season that's hard to reckon with. Khris Middleton's health, Brook Lopez' age and a rocky first season for Damian Lillard here obviously raise concerns, but Giannis Antetokounmpo is the third-best player in the world at worst and they made some solid moves this offseason (Taurean Prince, Darvin Ham, etc.). It's hard to consider them being worse than last year.

"It's very easy to find people around the league who are like, it's over. Just move on," Lowe said in his podcast this week. 

Minnesota: Assistant GM Sachin Gupta left the organization to join Chelsea FC. He worked through Gersson Rosas and Tim Connolly's tenures as the Wolves became a power in the west, implementing an analytical approach from formerly working alongside Daryl Morey and Sam Hinkie. Rosas briefly led the Wolves' front office when Rosas was fired in 2021. 

New York: Julius Randle (shoulder) continues to recover from surgery and is aiming to return before or near the start of the regular season, according to ESPN. Mitchell Robinson (ankle) will also recover from surgery into training camp. Tom Thibodeau said Randle could play some center this season. 

Oklahoma City: Josh Giddey reacted to being traded at length for the first time since being sent from the Thunder to the Bulls for Alex Caruso after a difficult season on and off the court. Giddey, 21, averaged 13.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG and 5.7 APG across three seasons with the Thunder while his three-point shot flatlined at 31%. The NBA and police closed investigations into an alleged inappropriate relationship without finding any criminal activity. 

"I felt like I couldn't get going. I'd string one, two, three good games together, and then there'd be a stretch of bad ones. It just felt like I could never build any momentum," he said.

Philadelphia: Signed Joel Embiid to a three-year, $192.9 million extension, increasing his deal to $299.5 million through the 2028-29 season. He can earn $69 million in the final year of the deal and becomes the fourth-highest-paid player in league history behind LeBron James, Steph Curry and Paul George in career earnings. Embiid could've become a free agent following the 2025-26 season. The 76ers and Philadelphia agreed on a downtown arena that'll keep the team in Pennsylvania despite significant opposition. The city will help build a $1.3 billion arena the team will move into around 2032. 

“I wholeheartedly believe this is the right deal for the People of Philadelphia,” Mayor Cherelle Parker said. “To the People of Chinatown, please know that I hear you. We have the best Chinatown in the United States, and I am committed to working together to support it."

Toronto: Bruce Brown underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Thursday and will miss three weeks before further evaluation. Brown, 28, signed a two-year deal with the Pacers last summer before Indiana traded him as part of a deal for Pascal Siakam. The Raptors opted to keep Brown at the trade deadline later that month and exercised his $23 million team option earlier this offseason. The Boston native averaged 10.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG and 2.9 APG between his two teams last year, shooting 47.8% from the field and 32.3% from three. He'll become a popular trade target if the Raptors struggle early. MLSE, which owns the Maple Leafs and Raptors, sold a 37.5% stake to Rogers Comm. (Blue Jays) in the franchises that valued them collectively at $3.48 billion. Rogers now owns a majority stake in all three teams.