The phones are down, but the business never stops.
Sources: The Toronto Raptors signed DJ Wilson to a two-year, veteran minimum deal, which includes $250,000 guaranteed, @hoopshype has learned.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 8, 2022
Wilson played four games with the Raptors last year during a particularly difficult stretch with Covid, and he performed well. He averaged 7.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals (!), and 0.3 blocks per game in only 13.5 minutes per game. He also shot 73.3 percent from the field despite not making a triple (he is a 32.7 percent 3-point shooter over his career). The Raptors have long been enamored with Wilson, who is — of course — 6-foor-10 with a wingspan of 7-foot-3. He’s extraordinarily long and rangy and forces a ton of turnovers on the defensive end. He’s a solid cutter, rebounder, and finisher on the offensive end.
He and Toronto have had interest in one another for a long time, but it seemed as though signing him last year would have put the Raptors over the luxury tax threshold. His returning to the squad this season shows how interested the team remains in Wilson. They’ve danced around one another for the better part of a year, and it’s a great sign that they’re ready to start up together again with a new song (new season) on the speakers.
Toronto’s roster now stands at 15 players with the additions of Otto Porter jr. and Wilson. Svi Mykhailiuk, Dalano Banton, and Armoni Brooks have guaranteed or partially guaranteed deals for the upcoming season as well. It is worth mentioning that Wilson has such a small guarantee this is not a certainty that he will make the 2022-23 roster — Ish Wainwright failed to make the roster after camp last year with a similar deal. Toronto also has players like Yuta Watanabe and Justin Champagnie under its umbrella, so at the moment there is a numbers crunch. Christian Koloko is also not yet signed to a contract, and Ron Harper jr. is on a two-way contract.
