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Raptors’ Ujiri bulking up G-League team with swingmen

By Brian Boake

TORONTO, CANADA - JUNE 7: Serge Ibaka
TORONTO, CANADA - JUNE 7: Serge Ibaka /
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The Raptors are fleshing out their minor league team with swingmen. Will one of them emerge as a contender for the small-forward position?

As the Toronto Raptors busy off-season continues, lost among the headlines of returning players were announcements of two signings. Masai Ujiri added a pair of swingmen, Alfonzo McKinnie and Malcolm Miller.

These fellows are carbon copies (boy, am I dating myself with that reference!) of each other. Both stand around 6’7″ and weigh 210 pounds. Neither has seen a second of playing time in the NBA despite years in the minors. At 24 years of age (McKinnie is 6 months older), they are long past the “hot prospect” stage.

There’s a giant hole on the Raptors’ roster for a 2/3 man; someone who can hit enough long balls to provide better spacing while defending his man with vigor. I wonder whether either of these hopefuls can step up to the opportunity.

Who are these guys?

McKinnie started 34 of his 50 games played with Chicago’s D-League team last season, averaging 14.8 points Per Game. While he managed a barely respectable 30.8% make rate from beyond the arc, he hasn’t come close to that with the Raptors’ Summer League squad in Lost Wages. Malcolm has drained just 3 of 18 attempts in 4 games, for an unsightly 16.7%. If he doesn’t improve that number in a hurry, he might not get a training camp invitation.

CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 3: Referee Sean Corbin argues a call with head coach Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors during the second half of Game Two of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on May 3, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Raptors 125-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 3: Referee Sean Corbin argues a call with head coach Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors during the second half of Game Two of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on May 3, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Raptors 125-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Malcolm Miller played 4 years in college, went undrafted (like McKinnie) then flunked an audition with the Celtics. He was with Alba Berlin last year, but I couldn’t find much data about his results. Presumably Masai and his cadre of international scouts were happy. Malcolm has signed the Raptors’ first ever two-way contract. If he makes the big team, he gets serious coin – otherwise, he’s in Mississauga and on the bus with the Gatorade League fellows.

What’s going on?

I think I know what Masai is trying to do with these signings. In theatre, a “cattle call” is a mass audition. You haven’t got long to impress the impresarios sitting in judgement. If by some miracle either McKinnie or Miller (and I expect more candidates in days to come) manages to snag the spot left open by the departures of Terrence Ross and DeMarre Carroll, that’s wonderful. Otherwise we’ll see more of these people until such time as draftee OG Anunoby is healthy and ready to strut his stuff.

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