The Raptors have signed rookie free agent forward Gabe Brown, the team announced today in a press release. According to Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca (Twitter link), Brown received an Exhibit 10 contract.
Brown, who declared for the draft this spring after spending four years at Michigan State, became a full-time starter for the Spartans as a senior in 2021/22, averaging 11.6 PPG and 3.8 RPG with a .382 3PT% in 36 games (28.9 MPG). His performance earned him a spot on the All-Big 10 Third Team.
Brown suited up for the Thunder’s Summer League team last month, recording 11.0 PPG and 3.5 RPG on .421/.370/1.000 shooting in four Las Vegas contests (21.8 MPG).
Oddly, previous reports indicated that Brown had reached contract agreements first with Oklahoma City and then with Denver. Either one or both of those reports were erroneous, or Brown has had one or two changes of heart this offseason as he weighed where to begin his professional career.
The Raptors now have 19 players under contract, with second-round pick Christian Koloko still unsigned. Given the team’s roster crunch, Brown doesn’t have a clear path to a spot on the regular season roster, but his Exhibit 10 deal would entitle him to a bonus worth up to $50K if he’s waived and then spends at least 60 days with the Raptors 905, Toronto’s G League affiliate.
Any idea why Koloko isn’t signed yet? Is it possible he’s getting stashed?
Probably just waiting out to see if they sign him using the minimum exemption (2 years only) or a portion of the midlevel (possible 3 or 4 years)
How rare is it for a 2nd round pick to start off signed with a portion of MLE?
I don’t think their issue is having the money as deciding who loses the roster spot. Too many bodies of interest, a competition will need to decide the victors.
The raps aren’t loke the celtics for example, not a ton of min level options. Unless winning the apparent Gabe Brown sweepstakes that no one knew existed was a thing, pretty sure okc and the nuggs forgot they even offered him a ex10
There’s no minimum exception, just the minimum.