3 Raptors Summer League position battles to keep an eye on

Jul 9, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Armoni Brooks (1) dribbles away from Philadelphia 76ers guard Charlie Brown Jr. (16) Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 9, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Armoni Brooks (1) dribbles away from Philadelphia 76ers guard Charlie Brown Jr. (16) Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
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Toronto Raptors, Dalano Banton
Jul 9, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Dalano Banton (45) dribbles against Philadelphia 76ers guard Jaden Springer (11) Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

1. Dalano Banton vs. Armoni Brooks

Banton and Brooks could not have more different styles of play. While Brooks is a 6-3 sniper who lives and dies by the 3-point line, Banton is a 6-9 lanky defender who looks perfect for Nurse’s defense. Both of them stuffed the stat sheet in the win against Philadelphia.

Even though Banton started slow and turned it over seven times, he finished with 21 points on some fairly efficient shooting percentages. Brooks was on fire from 3-point range, leading the team in scoring and making a convincing case for a spot as the 10th man in the rotation.

The Toronto Raptors will focus on Dalano Banton and Armoni Brooks.

Banton might have the defensive edge on his side, but it may be hard for a team that could still use perimeter shooting to wave a veteran with such a lethal jumper. Brooks was cooking during his rookie season with Houston, and seems to have rediscovered his form in Vegas.

While Nurse likely does not want to lose any one of these players, one might need to be discarded if he intends to spread talent evenly across his roster. Brooks came out firing, and it’s on Banton to decide if he will return fire with a solid showing of his own.