In the fast-paced world of the NBA, few voices carry as much weight in the locker room and the boardroom as Garrett Temple’s.
A seasoned veteran and a pivotal member of the NBPA Executive Committee, Temple has navigated the league’s most complex eras—from the high-stakes logistics of the 2020 Orlando Bubble to the evolving business landscape of professional sports.
Now providing a steady hand for a young, hungry Toronto Raptors squad, Temple sat down to discuss the “dollars and cents” of league negotiations, his memories of studying for the LSAT during the pandemic and why even a 15-year veteran can still learn a thing or two from the next generation.
On the NBPA’s Relationship with the WNBA
As a veteran Vice President on the NBPA Executive Committee, Temple’s influence extends far beyond the Raptors’ locker room. He has been a fixture in union leadership through multiple CBA negotiations, helping to steer the league through some of its most transformative financial periods.
With the WNBA currently experiencing an unprecedented surge in popularity and entering its own critical era of labor discussions, I asked Temple about the level of synergy between the two unions and what advice he might offer as the women’s game reaches a pivotal bargaining table.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: As a leader within the NBPA, have you had many direct conversations with the WNBA or offered advice during their recent growth and negotiations?
Garrett Temple: Not lately. Usually, their Executive Director [Terri Carmichael Jackson] speaks directly with our Executive Director, Andre Iguodala. While we haven’t had those discussions recently, we have an upcoming meeting with the rest of the Executive Committee where the WNBA situation may come up. I’d need to delve into the specifics of their current negotiations before speaking on it deeply, but in any sports negotiation, it usually comes down to the owners focusing on the “dollars and cents.” I’d want to look at the issues on both sides before giving a full perspective.
Reflections on the 2020 NBA Bubble
The 2020 NBA Bubble in Orlando remains one of the most unique experiments in sports history, serving as a sanctuary for the game during a global crisis.
For Temple, the experience wasn’t just about finishing a season; it was a period of intense personal development and a firsthand look at how different franchises handled the logistical and emotional hurdles of isolation. We looked back at that high-pressure environment and the digital tools that kept the league—and his own legal aspirations—connected.
Brandon “Scoop B “ Robinson: Looking back at the NBA Bubble—when tools like Zoom were first becoming part of our daily lives—what stands out to you most about that experience?
Garrett Temple: [Laughs] Man, first of all, I wish I’d put some money into Zoom stock back then because it was going crazy! I actually remember studying for my LSATs over Zoom while I was there.
More importantly, I remember how well the Brooklyn Nets took care of us. You really saw which organizations were up to the task based on the conversations we had with players from other teams. People told us afterward how much watching basketball helped them cope with the pandemic. Being able to speak our minds on social issues and have those messages on our jerseys was also incredibly significant to me.
The Work Behind the Scenes
While the world watched the product on the court, a massive administrative undertaking was happening behind the curtain to keep the 2019-20 season afloat.
For Temple, the “Bubble” was more than a change of scenery; it was a grueling test of labor relations and logistical planning. Balancing his role as a key contributor for the Nets with his responsibilities as a union leader meant that his days began and ended with high-stakes decision-making.
I asked him to pull back the curtain on the sheer volume of work required to build a sports environment from scratch in the middle of a global pandemic.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: How involved were you personally in the logistics and development of the NBA Bubble?
Garrett Temple: Very involved. As a member of the Executive Committee, we were on the phone at least four times a week. It was easily a full-time job just getting the logistics sorted out and ensuring the environment was exactly how we wanted it. It took a lot of time and discussion, but I’m glad we saw it through to fruition.
Leadership and Learning in Toronto
Now in his 16th season, Temple has transitioned into a role often described as “an assistant coach in a jersey.”
As the oldest player on a rebuilding Toronto Raptors roster, he is tasked with mentoring a new generation of talent that was barely in elementary school when he first entered the league.
But while his primary job is to teach, Temple remains a student of the game.
I closed our conversation by asking what a player with over a decade and a half of experience still finds to learn from the Gen Z energy in the Raptors’ locker room.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You’re currently a veteran presence on a young Toronto Raptors squad. What have you learned from your younger teammates?
Garrett Temple: [Laughs] Just their resilience. They are a resilient group; they listen, they learn, and they soak everything in. Honestly, they make me feel younger every day just by watching them. It’s a reminder that no matter how old you are or how long you’ve been in this league, you can always learn something new.
