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Toronto Raptors: Five things to watch for during summer league

By Mike Bossetti

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 13: Pascal Siakam #43 and Alfonzo McKinnie #34 of the Toronto Raptors wait for a rebound during the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League game against the Portland Trail Blazers on July 13, 2017 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 13: Pascal Siakam #43 and Alfonzo McKinnie #34 of the Toronto Raptors wait for a rebound during the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League game against the Portland Trail Blazers on July 13, 2017 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 5: Malcolm Miller #13 and Malachi Richardson #22 of the Toronto Raptors looks on prior to Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semi Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 5, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 5: Malcolm Miller #13 and Malachi Richardson #22 of the Toronto Raptors looks on prior to Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semi Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 5, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Will any G-League or overseas players impress?

Even more-so than rookies, the Summer League is packed with G-League and international talent hoping to make an impression on NBA scouts. This year, Toronto has a mix of international talent, 905 players, and G-League invites from opposing teams.

There are currently three players from last year’s runner-up 905 team, Malcolm Miller, Shevon Thompson and Fequan Edwin, all of which will be hoping to earn a spot on the NBA roster. (This isn’t counting Malachi Richardson and Alfonzo McKinnie who are already on the 15-man roster.)

Toronto is hoping at least one will show a significant developmental jump, considering their familiarity with both Nurse and the organization.

The team also invited Chris Boucher and Marquis Teague, “G-League Veterans” from other teams across the league.

However the most interesting invites are international prospects Trggvi Hlinason and Augusto Lima. Lima is a 26 year-old center who has bounced around professionally, mostly between China and Spain. Meanwhile, Hlinason is a 7’1″ 20-year old from Iceland who started playing basketball less than five years ago. Although he will be up against a steep learning curve, Hlinason does have all the physical gifts. He is gigantic, moves well, and has shown a surprisingly high IQ for someone who is still learning the game.

Individually, all of these players are long-shots to contribute. In the aggregate, one is likely to at least receive spot minutes next season.

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