Bonga has already been in the league three years, so it’s easy to forget that this guy is only 21 years old. A 6-8 small forward from Germany, Bonga came into the NBA listed as a point guard.
He’s got such a weird blend of skills. A big guy with some playmaking skills, Bonga is a detraction on the offensive end. Still, this is a classic Ujiri move in that he’s buying low on a quirky and talented guy, who’s too young to have his NBA career written off as a wash.
Bonga could have a leg up on some of the other non-guarantees fightings for a roster spot based on his experience with Washington and defensive chops.
Smart pickup. This guy injects a knockdown three-point shooter into a roster severely lack in that category. During his time in Detroit, he was shooting 40% from 3-point range on five attempts a game.
This is an example of a role player casting a bigger shadow based on his surroundings. On a team like the 2020-21 Pistons or Thunder, Svi was just another guy to shoot the ball. On the Raptors this coming year, he’ll provide a really valuable service as a floor spacer. It’ll help get the team wins and allow guys like Barnes to get their points most easily.