Bruce Brown appeared in all 82 games with the Nuggets last season. So he was taken aback by the lack of interest he received in free agency.

The veteran wing had to settle for an non-guaranteed Exhibit 9 contract with the Knicks and fight for a roster spot. Brown cites teams’ second apron concerns as part of the reason for not getting a better offer.

“I was very surprised. I played every single game last year, played meaningful minutes the whole year,” Brown said, per Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. “Thought I did decently or good enough in my role that I was given. But when free agency started, that wasn’t the case.”

Speculation that the Knicks will retain a big man with their 14th roster spot doesn’t aid his cause.

“You got to prove yourself every year. I’ve been on eight teams in nine years. Every year you got to prove yourself, prove you’ve gotten better,” Brown said. “But with this team obviously the first and second units are pretty set, I’d say. So obviously I’d have to provide a winning attitude. I’m fighting for a job right now. So any role they give me, I’d be happy to do it.”

Here’s more from the Atlantic Division:

• Kawhi Leonard is easing his way into the Raptors’ lineup. It’s uncertain when he’ll make his preseason debut, according to Michael Grange of Sportsnet. “I feel good (but) being smart, taking it slow, just getting familiar with everybody, getting their names right with each coach, (the) player development guys, learning the plays and, yeah, just learning everything that (head coach Darko Rajakovic) has been doing the past three or four years,” Leonard said. “But it’s been fun, and everybody’s making sure that I understand everything, and they’re just welcoming in. So, it’s been a great transition.”
• Egor Demin got the nod as the starting point guard against Charlotte on Tuesday and the Nets’ second-year player produced six points and five assists in 18-plus minutes. “Yeah, you see him with five assists in the first group; so he leads that group in assists, which is great,” coach Jordi Fernández said. “Egor was good. I want him aggressive to shoot or to touch the paint, and he’s done it the whole summer. He’s worked at it, he’s stronger, and now he’s very comfortable getting there. So, it’s great. He’s got to keep doing it, got to keep finding his teammates or getting good shots.”
• In the same game, Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle looked comfortable playing with each other, according to C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News. The Nets forwards combined for 29 points in the 34-point victory on 10-for-16 shooting. Each player assisted the other on a first-quarter 3-pointer. Randle was acquired from Minnesota in a blockbuster offseason trade.