The Toronto Raptors have finalized their roster ahead of training camp. Along with 14 guaranteed contracts, they’ll have six player on non- or partially guaranteed deals vying for the 15th and final roster spot, the team having eschewed the option to use their Bi-Annual Exception and instead rolling it over to next season (if it still exists in the new CBA).
That means not only will the team carry Lucas Nogueira and Bruno Caboclo (third year), Norman Powell and Delon Wright (second year), and Jakob Poeltl and Pascal Siakam (first year), they’ll also carry a seventh player with limited NBA experience. The candidates are as follows:
Fred VanVleet – One of the top undrafted players, VanVleet parlayed a strong Summer League showing into a two-year deal with a partial guarantee. He’s hoping to force the Raptors into a tough decision, one that may be complicated by Delon Wright’s injury. The partial guarantee may help supplement a D-League salary but there’s no guarantee he’ll go, or even clear waivers.
Drew Crawford – A steady hand capable of playing solid defense and working as a secondary ball-handler, Crawford would bring maturity despite his inexperience but may be in tough due to the team’s depth at the position. He didn’t receive a guarantee and is headed overseas if he doesn’t make the team.
Brady Heslip – A sharpshooter from Burlington/Oakville, Heslip was signed to a partial guarantee and will head to the 905 if cut.
E.J. Singler – Acquired late last season by the 905, Singler won fans there and again in Las Vegas. His shooting and versatility makes him a malleable piece, but he’s agreed to head to the D-League, likely with a small guarantee to ease the pain, if he can’t make the NBA squad.
Jarrod Uthoff – The closest thing to a fit based on position, defense, and shooting, Uthoff still has stiff competition. He was also given an undisclosed guarantee that suggests he may be amenable to the D-League if cut.
Yanick Moreira – Still a bit of a project big man, he didn’t receive a guarantee but is likely headed for the 905, anyway
As a refresher, here’s what the Raptors roster looks like for camp:
PG: Kyle Lowry, Cory Joseph, (Delon Wright – injured), Fred VanVleet
SG: DeMar DeRozan, Norman Powell, Drew Crawford, Brady Heslip
SF: DeMarre Carroll, Terrence Ross, Bruno Caboclo, E.J. Singler
PF: Jared Sullinger, Patrick Patterson, Pascal Siakam, Jarrod Uthoff
C: Jonas Valanciunas, Lucas Nogueira, Jakob Poeltl, Yanick Moreira
So, our question for you this weekend is: Ahead of training camp, who do you want to lock up that 15th spot? It’s early, obviously, and you may have seen little from these names (you can read the links above to catch up a bit), but looking at the roster and the talent in camp, what’s your best guess here, more than a week from Media Day?
