Toronto Raptors: Delon Wright looks to prove worth in contract year

Delon Wright has improved every year since being drafted by the Toronto Raptors. Will he break out in his fourth year with the team?

The Toronto Raptors are deep at point guard. So deep, that although Delon Wright would start for many teams, he ranks just third on the Raptors depth chart. Luckily, thanks to Wright’s size and versatility, he is able to play not only as a third-string point guard but also as one of the team’s primary options at shooting guard.

That is where Wright will spend most of his time this season. Alongside either Kyle Lowry or Fred VanVleet, as an off-ball option and secondary playmaker.

Last year Wright played approximately 75-percent of his minutes with either VanVleet or Lowry on the court. This season, with DeMar DeRozan gone and VanVleet as a more established option, that number could rise as high as 90-percent.

No matter the position he is at, Wright will be looking for a breakout season. He’s entering the year as on an expiring contract, and with so much cap-space available in the summer of 2019, he will be looking to get PAID.

If Kawhi Leonard returns, the decision is easy. Match whatever offer (within reason) Wright receives and deal with the consequences.

If Leonard leaves, the math is a little more difficult. Pay Wright big money, and it eats into 2020 space Toronto has been very protective of. Let him walk, and you lose one of your best players without compensation in return.

Regardless of his future plans, Toronto is lucky to have Delon for this season. With so many unknowns, Wright provides head coach Nick Nurse with a versatile, valuable player he can play in many situations.

Delon Wright is a basketball chameleon. He can be whatever the Raptors need him to be.

But what will he be for Toronto this season? We take a look at Wright’s strengths, weaknesses, and how he fits into this team.