The Toronto Raptors are finally starting to get sidetracked due to the lingering COVID-19 pandemic, as players like Pascal Siakam, Dalano Banton, and Gary Trent Jr. have all entered the league’s health and safety protocols. In need of some more shooting off of the bench, Toronto chose to add a well-traveled journeyman in Nik Stauskas.
The Raptors needed to add some bench shooting anyway, and the idea of playing a few games without Trent has only made that need more pronounced. After adding Brandon Goodwin and Juwan Morgan to the roster due to the hardship exception, Toronto made one more reinforcement by adding Stauskas.
Marc Stein is reporting that Toronto is calling up Stauskas after he had a very successful stint in the G League. While he hasn’t lived up to the hype as a Top 10 pick, Stauskas remains an above-average 3-point shooter who could help Toronto overcome their issues in that area.
The Mississauga native is back in Canada and ready to make his debut for the league’s lone franchise north of the border. How will he impact the team as players like Trent and Siakam are nursed back to health?
Toronto is calling up Nik Stauskas of @NBAGrandRapids from the @nbagleague, league sources say.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 20, 2021
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Nik Stauskas is joining the Toronto Raptors.
Stauskas was picked eighth overall in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings after an impressive career at Michigan. After being included in the Jayson Tatum trade with the 76ers and Celtics, Stauskas embarked upon a journeyman career.
He has averaged 6.8 points per game while making 35% of his 3-point shots in stops with the 76ers, Trail Blazers, Nets, and Cavaliers.
Stauskas has some familiarity with the Raptors, as he was a part of Raptors 905 in the Disney bubble last season. The Toronto developmental staff got an up-close look at the former Wolverine and what skills he could bring to the table, so Toronto isn’t just picking up a hot name off the waiver wire here.
Stauskas spent most of the season with the Grand Rapids Gold, an affiliate of the Denver Nuggets. After averaging 18.1 points per game with 905 last season, Sauce Castillo was putting up 21.3 points per game on 43% shooting. He could give Toronto a nice boost off of the bench.
Lance Stephenson and Nik Stauskas both with 13 PTS for the @NBAGrandRapids at half! pic.twitter.com/lYjJ1G12IG
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) December 15, 2021
Stauskas is another rock-solid shooter off of the bench who could help replace a very small part of the offensive punch that Trent provides regularly. While it may be tough for him to stay on the roster long-term, he could help fill in the gaps while the team works on getting back to full health.