The Toronto Raptors have assigned Lucas Nogueira, Norman Powell, and Bruno Caboclo to Raptors 905 of the D-League, the team announced.
That’s great news for Raptors 905, who had only nine bodies for shootaround earlier Thursday. I even brought my gear to the Hershey Centre, just in case. Why so thin in Mississauga? Several reasons. Let’s do a quick news roundup.
Greg Smith is gone. He signed a 10-day contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves this week and made a solid debut in 10 minutes of action on Wednesday.
Axel Toupane is gone. He signed a 10-day contract with the Denver Nuggets, a move that became official Thursday.
Ronald Roberts is injured. The All-Star power forward told RR Thursday that he’s hopeful to return soon, but he still isn’t participating in full practice. There’s no timetable for his return.
DeAndre Daniels is injured. While he had hoped to possibly be back by now, his recovery from a Jones fracture suffered this summer only just this week has him participating in full practices with the club. He’s not going to play this weekend but the return to full practice is encouraging.
And so it makes a ton of sense that the Raptors are lending three players to the junior squad. Caboclo was assigned Monday and then recalled Wednesday, while Powell was assigned just for practice Tuesday before a quick recall. Nogueira getting the nod was expected in these parts, though not a certainty given that he saw meaningful action on Wednesday.
The three assignees and loss of several key players will make for a unique rotation.
PG: Shannon Scott, John Jordan, Ashton Smith
SG: Powell, Scott Suggs
SF: Caboclo, Melvin Johnson III
PF: Nogueira, Michale Kyser
C: Sim Bhullar, Keanau Post
In 27 games with the 905, Caboclo is now averaging 13.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, one steal, and 1.6 blocks in 32.7 minutes while shooting 39 percent overall and 33.3 percent on threes. Powell appeared in seven games with the 905, averaging 23.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.1 steals while shooting 48.8 percent from the floor and 31.8 percent from long-range. Nogueira hasn’t played a D-League game in over a month but previously averaged 8.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, four assists, and 2.6 blocks while shooting 53.2 percent in seven appearances.
And yes, Nogueira is listed above as a four. He’s long claimed he believes himself to be a power forward, and Thursday will see him play plenty alongside Bhullar. It should be interesting, but Nogueira’s likely a center in the eyes of the Raptors and every other NBA team. But maybe he crushes it and convinces head coach Dwane Casey to give him a shot alongside Jonas Valanciunas or Bismack Biyombo at some point.
The 905 tip off at 7:30 from the Hershey Centre.
