The Toronto Raptors have placed an emphasis on player development over the last few years, and the Raptors two-way contract pipeline has helped Nick Nurse make another permanent addition to the roster in the form of Yuta Watanabe.
The Japanese forward made an impact as a defender due to his long arms and boundless injury. Over the last few games, however, Watanabe has been given greater offensive responsibility by Nick Nurse, and he has responded well to it.
Watanabe is averaging 4.0 points per game on 44% shooting and 40% from beyond the 3-point line this season, but since April 6, he has been averaging 9.9 points per game while making 61% of his shots and half of his 3-point attempts.
With Toronto using their pair of two-way slots on Watanabe, who didn’t play a minute of G League basketball this year, and rookie Jalen Harris, Masai Ujiri decided to reward Watanabe’s improvement by giving him a proper NBA deal.
The team confirmed that Watanabe has signed an NBA contract. While the financial terms were not disclosed, the expectation is that he’ll be a member of the Raptors for the 2021 NBA season.
The Raptors have signed Yuta Watanabe to a standard NBA contract. Very well deserved.
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) April 19, 2021
If the Raptors want to roll the dice on some G League talent once more, they could replace Watanabe with another two-way stud, continuing the franchise’s string of success with these types of deals.
These 3 players could be intriguing two-way signings for the Toronto Raptors.
Raptors two-way No. 1: Lindell Wigginton, Iowa Wolves
Wigginton is a familiar face, as the Halifax native and Iowa State alum was actually given a tryout by Toronto way back in 2019. No matter where he’s from, he proved in the G League that he has fixed some of the flaws that helped him go undrafted.
Wigginton has averaged 15.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game over the last two years with the Minnesota Timberwolves’ G League affiliate. His ability to attack the basket and lock in on the defensive side of the ball made him one of the few standouts on a lackluster Iowa team, and the Raptors should give him some burn on a tryout basis.
How would Lindell Wigginton help the Toronto Raptors?
Malachi Flynn is playing much better of late, but the Raptors would be wise to get some extra guard depth given how injuries have sidelines Kyle Lowry and limited Fred VanVleet’s effectiveness when he’s been on the floor. Wigginton could fit in with the Raptors due to the fact his playstyle is very similar to what Nick Nurse wants out of his lead guards.
Wigginton is improving as a shooter, but he hasn’t taken that next step in terms of efficiency. If the Raptors are able to work their shooting magic on him via his two-way deal, don’t be surprised if Wigginton becomes a backup in Toronto next season.