2022 Raptors Summer League signings: 3 impact newcomers
By Mike Luciano
The Toronto Raptors may have made their lone selection in the 2022 NBA Draft by taking Arizona rim protector Christian Koloko, but that doesn’t mean that Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster can exhale just yet. Filling out the Summer League roster is the next priority for this front office.
While Summer League presents an opportunity for several prospective players in on tryout contracts to make their case for a G League spot, it’s also a place where youngsters try to show the Raptors that their game can translate to the NBA level.
The Raptors will likely lean on Koloko, returning second-year guards Dalano Banton and David Johnson, and two-way signing Ron Harper Jr. for the bulk of their production in Vegas. Even with so many big names on this team, Toronto is bringing on a handful of newcomers.
These three players, all of whom have agreed to join the Raptors’ summer league team in the last two days, could be impact players in this truncated schedule. Raptors 905 could zero in on some playmakers that help them once again contend for a G League title in the 2022-23 season.
3 impact Toronto Raptors Summer League signings.
3. Jaylen Sims, SG, UNC-Wilmington
Rookie Scale’s Jon Chepkevich is reporting that Sims will link up with Toronto in Summer League play. A 6-6 combo guard who was stuffing the stat sheet regularly in CAA play, the four-year senior seems like the type of raw bucket-getter the Raptors are looking to refine into a more consistent force.
Sims averaged 16.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, leading the Seahawks to a 27-9 record in what became a breakout season. At 6-6 with solid burst off the dribble and some defensive potential, Sims projects as someone who will be a G League standout as a rookie.
Jaylen Sims could be an excellent scorer for the Toronto Raptors.
Sims had just one season where he recorded a shooting percentage better than 40% from the field despite some substandard opponents. His defense leaves a lot to be desired, putting Sims firmly in the G Leaguer tier even though he is going to be 23 next season.
Sims might not have the highest ceiling in the world if he was struggling with efficiency inside the arc against teams like William & Mary and Drexel, but Raptors 905 still has plenty to work with. A strong showing in Vegas will be vital in winning over some of the fans in Mississauga.