How can the Raptors re-sign DJ Wilson after 10-day expiration?

Very rarely has a Toronto Raptors united the fanbase after just two games (both of which were losses), but DJ Wilson managed to do just that. One of the four 10-day signings Toronto brought in due to COVID-19 opt-outs, Wilson was clearly the most impressive of the four.

Wilson averaged 12.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game with Toronto, as the former first-round pick and Milwaukee Bucks backup looked completely comfortable in the Raptors’ scheme. He even managed to have some success defending Joel Embiid for some time.

Unfortunately, it seems like Wilson’s time with Toronto has come to an end, as his 10-day hardship contract has officially expired. The Raptors may have had an open roster spot, but they didn’t have the financial flexibility to take him on at this point.

There is still a way that Wilson could return to the Raptors. In fact, there are four ways in which he could return on a contract for the rest of the season. Unfortunately, most of them involve getting rid of a player on the roster currently.

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Can the Toronto Raptors retain DJ Wilson?

While traditional 10-day contracts can’t be given out just yet, the Raptors could give him a cheaper deal like that when the window opens up. If they want to sign him to a long-term deal or a contract for the end of the season, they will need to get rid of either Goran Dragic or Chris Boucher.

The Raptors could try to trade Dragic (which is looking less likely by the day), or ask him to return around $1 million if they end up buying him out. This could help Wilson provide more frontcourt stability while freeing themselves of the shackles of Dragic’s $19.4 million contract.

Boucher is still a valuable trade piece, and the idea of selling high has to appeal to Ujiri if they are sold on Wilson’s potential. Boucher is a free agent at the end of this year but still is raking in $6.7 million.

A Boucher trade could help them recoup draft capital and free up a space with which they could add Wilson for the remainder of the season.

This financial situation is not ideal for the Raptors, but Toronto will figure out how to manipulate those numbers if they are sold on Wilson’s potential and fit within the Toronto system.

On a team that’s promoted two-way players like Yuta Watanabe to the rotation after just one season, this organization is more than comfortable adding players from the ranks of the G League. Oklahoma City’s loss may still be Toronto’s gain.