Masai Ujiri took another flyer on a training camp player.
The Raptors have reached agreement with Louisiana Tech's Michale Kyser on one-year deal with partial guarantee, league source tells RealGM.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 20, 2015
Kyser is a 6-foot-10 power forward who played four years at Louisiana Tech. This past season, Kyser averaged 12 points, nine rebounds and four (!!!) blocks per 40 minutes, while shooting 60.6 percent from the field, good for a PER of 20.7.
Based on his highlights, Kyser seems like a springy four who mostly traits in finishes around the basket. His size is less than ideal for a frontcourt player (only weighs 205 pounds) but it lends to him being extremely quick. As shown in the clip above, Kyser routinely sticks with players on the perimeter before engulfing shot attempts with a tremendous wingspan.
Kyser played in a limited capacity with the Raptors in summer league. He averaged 3.5 points and four rebounds in 14.5 minutes per game. That’s an incredibly small sample and I wouldn’t read anything into those numbers. The coaching staff probably liked what they saw out of Kyser in practices and decided to give him an extended look.
Given his contract, Kyser will likely battle Ronald Roberts for a chance to grab the 15th spot on the roster. Kyser and Roberts both fit the mold of hyperathletic undersized power forwards. Giving Kyser a partial guarantee (probably $25,000 like the Raptors gave Will Cherry last year) also likely sweetens the pot for Kyser to sign with the Raptors 905, although that’s pure speculation on my part. The Raptors also signed French swingman Axel Toupane to a partially guaranteed deal last week.
For more on Kyser, check out Draft Express.
