Which marginal players will the Toronto Raptors bring back next season?
Eric Moreland
What a fantastic season of efficiency for Eric Moreland. Not in terms of efficiency on the court, but in regards to the amount of effort provided to compared to the number of rings.
Moreland played just 66 total minutes for the Raptors during the regular season and playoffs combined. Yet, he earned the same number of rings as Kawhi Leonard this season. Again, efficiency.
Unfortunately for Moreland, the lack of productivity also means he’s extremely replaceable. The Raptors have Chris Boucher fighting for a roster spot, drafted another center in Dewan Hernandez, and if Kawhi returns, can go scrounge the veteran FA market for someone searching for a ring.
It was great to have you Eric, but your time in Toronto is almost certainly finished.
Verdict: He gone
Malcolm Miller
Like Boucher, technically, Malcolm Miller is signed to a contract for next season. However, with next year non-guaranteed, the Raptors can move on from Miller for nothing if they would like.
Miller is a 6’8″ sharpshooter who has spent the majority of his time in the G-League early in his career. After missing the beginning of the season due to a Summer League injury, he started in the G-League once again this season.
Originally, after losing a total of four players at the deadline, Toronto wanted to sign Miller to just a 10-day contract. The NBA doesn’t allow teams to sign 10-days unless they have 12 active players, so essentially the Raptors were forced into offering Miller a full-time gig.
Miller is lengthy, athletic enough (although nothing spectacular), and has an incredible three-point stroke. He’s a career 38-percent shooter from distance at the G-League level and is 18-42 (42-percent) early in his NBA career.
However, at 26-years-old, Malcolm Miller’s ceiling is a lot lower than you’d think. He’s not a young buck trying to make it in the league, he should be an experienced veteran at this point.
Miller’s three-point stroke could help a couple of teams this season. But considering the fact Toronto was reluctant to give a contract in the first place, his chances can’t be that high. If Toronto’s rebuilding, maybe they give him a shot at the minimum deal he’s already inked to. If they’re trying to compete, he’s gone.