Winners and Losers after Raptors sign Juancho Hernangomez
By Mike Luciano
The Toronto Raptors got in one last free agent signing at the eleventh hour before training camp starts. Juancho Hernangomez, who is known for his role in Adam Sandler’s “Hustle” as Bo Cruz, signed with Toronto on a one-year contract after spending 2021-22 with the Utah Jazz.
Hernangomez is likely going to compete for a spot on the final roster with some of the players currently on non-guaranteed contracts. Although he struggled to get consistent playing time last season, the right role on the right team could easily rejuvenate his stagnant career.
Hernangomez is a solid shooter who has been able to put up respective scoring and rebounding numbers despite constantly being shipped across the NBA. Being in a stable environment like Toronto might give him the tools he needs to become a standout role player.
The Hernangomez addition is going to make some aspects of this scheme and roster much stronger. However, as with any new addition, a few incumbents on the roster are going to be knocked out of whatever playing time they have been allocated. The camp battles just got even crazier.
Winners and losers after Toronto Raptors signed Juancho Hernangomez.
Loser: DJ Wilson
Wilson impressed Raptors fans as much as a player can in a four game stretch. Though the team was depleted due to injuries and COVID-19, Wilson showed that he could attack the basket and defend at an NBA level. Those skills helped him earn a multi-year contract.
In the fight for one of the final guaranteed roster spots, Wilson could have an edge due to his size. Unfortunately, adding a more experienced player with a more well-rounded offensive game in Hernangomez might make it tough for him to stand out in Nick Nurse’s eyes.
Toronto Raptors: Juancho Hernangomez will compete with DJ Wilson.
Hernangomez is not exactly David Robinson when it comes to protecting the rim, and Wilson is clearly the better of the two when compared on that end. His ability to defend multiple positions is what will likely be a determining factor if Nurse only has room for one non-guaranteed big man.
The odds of both Wilson and Hernangomez sticking around are unlikely, but the Raptors would do well to find a way for one of them to make the final cut. If it’s based on offensive potential, Hernangomez has a proven history of being a solid role player in this league.