There’s already an unguaranteed wing and a point. Why not add a big into the mix?
The Toronto Raptors have signed free-agent center Greg Stiemsma to a reported 1-year deal at the minimum. It’s believed that the contract is unguaranteed (it almost certainly is), though the official press release put out by the team didn’t specify.
In Stiemsma the Raptors add another training camp body, although one that carries more NBA-experience than your average Julyan Stone or Dwight Buycks-type. Stiemsma profiles as a shot-blocker, averaging an impressive 2.8 blocks per 36 minutes over three seasons thus far. He’s spent stints in Boston, Minnesota and New Orleans to date.
With this signing, the Raptors are now slated to have 17 contracts going into training camp, but 14 are guaranteed, meaning the final spot will likely be handed to one of Will Cherry, Jordan Hamilton or Stiemsma (barring a trade or waivers). On the surface, it appears as if the team is covering all its bases — one wing, one point and one big — but there are other factors like potential and performance to consider as well.
The 28-year-old Stiemsma stands at 6-foot-11 and weighs 260 pounds. He also has a reputation for being a *ahem* enforcer.
