Toronto Raptors: 3 two-way players who could be the next Yuta Watanabe

Raptors two-way No. 3: Freddie Gillespie, Toronto Raptors

Gillespie was signed to a second 10-day contract, and the Raptors have until the 28th to decide if they want to cut him loose or bring him back for next season. If they don’t want to give him a full NBA deal, a two-way contract that allows him to drop down to Raptors 905 could be the best way to go about retaining him.

The Raptors have played Gillespie an average of 16.5 minutes per game, far beyond what most 10-day guys get. In that time, the former Memphis Hustle star and Grizzlies prospect has averaged 6.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. The Raptors signed him to provide muscle and rebounding, and he’s done just that.

Freddie Gillespie has proven himself with the Toronto Raptors

While Gillespie has shown he can fill a role, he is by no means a perfect player right now. His offensive game is limited to finishing dunks and baby hooks in the paint, and he has yet to see his defensive chops tested in extended minutes by some of the game’s elite big men.

This is where a two-way deal would help him out. With the Raptors likely bringing in a new starting center and still deciding if keeping Khem Birch as a backup makes sense, Gillespie on a two-way deal would be an ideal signing. He can be the team’s third center while getting regular minutes.