Toronto Raptors: What are the odds of each player making the team?
Battling to be the team’s third point guard
Cameron Payne
Cameron Payne has not been a productive player to this point in his career. A former lottery-pick taken by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Payne is being added for his potential more than the little he’s shown in an NBA setting.
So far in his career, Payne has been an inefficient scorer, a mediocre passer, and a below-average defender. He was cut from the Cleveland Cavaliers last season, despite it saving them $0. Cleveland — one of the worst teams in the league — didn’t think he was worth a roster spot.
But there have been flashes now and then. And the Toronto Raptors are clearly betting they can bring out the best in him. He also has a guarantee of $150,000, triple the amount of Isaiah Taylor.
Odds: 50-percent
Isaiah Taylor
While pre-draft pedigree might be Payne’s only real selling point, at least he has that. Isaiah Taylor was an undrafted free agent out of the University of Texas back in 2016. Since that time, he’s bounced around the league, failing to make a significant impact.
Taylor’s only real year of NBA experience came during the 2017-2018 season for the tanktastic Atlanta Hawks. While in Atlanta, Taylor appeared in 65 games and showed flashes of an athletic combo-guard who could create for others.
He also turned the ball over at a high rate, was an inefficient scorer, and a forgettable defender. Last season, he was picked up by the Cleveland Cavaliers in training camp but failed to make the final roster. He didn’t make an appearance in a single NBA game last season.
Sitting out an entire year typically isn’t a good thing, and Taylor’s NBA career appears to be on its last leg. However, if he can outplay Payne during camp, he has a solid shot due to the Raptors lack of point guard depth.