The Toronto Raptors will once again try to fill out the back end of the roster with a combination of promising young players and veterans looking for one last chance to make it in the pros. Toronto trimmed one last piece of fat after most of the free agency dust settled.
The Raptors waived Armoni Brooks in order to avoid paying him a six-figure sum that would have been guaranteed on Monday. With one open space left, Toronto will likely have five or six players competing for a handful of spots before the roster gets trimmed to 15 NBA players.
While most of these players are likely not going to play a huge role in Toronto’s rotation, they will need to be relied on when the inevitable string of injuries start to impact the depth of this team. A large chunk of the preseason will be spent on this part of the lineup.
Based on their fit within Toronto’s system and their short-term potential when called into action, these three players seem to be the most likely of the bunch to stick around. Nick Nurse and Masai Ujiri need to nail this decision, as it could net them a critical win or two down the road.
3 Raptors most likely to make the final roster
3. Justin Champagnie
Champagnie came to Toronto as an undrafted two-way player who was always one bad two-week stretch from being cast aside in favor of someone more promising. Not only did Champagnie prove himself with Raptors 905, but he earned some crucial minutes with the big league club.
Champagnie averaged 12.8 rebounds (6.6 offensive) per 100 possessions in his rookie season, proving that his ability to smother the glass and provide some pesky defense at multiple spots will help him carve out a more prominent NBA role. With guarantees that trigger if he makes the roster, Toronto clearly values Champagnie.
Justin Champagnie could make the Toronto Raptors.
There was a period of time last year when Champagnie was “knocking on the door” of the rotation. If he’s made the necessary improvements to his game in that time, releasing him before the season (barring a shocking regression) would be a very puzzling maneuver.
Champagnie achieved the near impossible task of becoming a fan favorite despite coming into the NBA with major flaws in his game and minimal hype. He’ll be back with the team in some capacity if the Raptors’ front office has a functioning hive mind.
2. Juancho Hernangomez
The NBA’s answer to Clark Gable spent most of the offseason without a team despite the newfound fame he accrued on the silver screen. Toronto finally decided to throw him a bone by signing him to a one-year contract following a chaotic 2021-22 season where he changed teams multiple times.
Per Keith Smith, Hernangomez signed a veteran minimum contract that is fully guaranteed. That guaranteed deal should imply that Hernangomez has a leg up over some of the competitors for this spot. Given his history in the NBA, it makes sense as to why Toronto is prioritizing him.
Juancho Hernangomez fits the Toronto Raptors.
At his best, Hernangomez is comfortable knocking down shots from 3-point range and providing passable offensive post play. If Christian Koloko is going to spend most of his rookie season in the G League, bringing Hernagomez on board seems like a logical fit.
Hernangomez will likely be matched up with DJ Wilson as the two fight for space in a crowded field. Wilson might have athleticism and defensive prowess on his side, but Hernangomez has a pretty jump and years of experience as a bench piece for contenders.
1. Dalano Banton
This one feels like the lock of the century. The Rexdale native’s main competition for this spot appeared to be Brooks, but the former Rockets sharpshooter is already out of the picture. Banton can now focus on fixing some of the issues that plagued him early in his career.
Banton is already a promising defender who proved he can get to the rim and generate turnovers, but he appeared to be more composed as a shooter than we saw last year. Banton should have no trouble becoming a force in the pros if he’s given a long leash from Nurse.
Dalano Banton could thrive with the Toronto Raptors.
We saw Banton start to show glimpses of improved offensive potential in his brief Raptors 905 stint last season. The key to him proving himself in front of a larger NBA audience is going to be that 3-point shot. It may even get him into the rotation on a permanent basis.
Second-round picks can easily be tossed aside at the first sign of stagnation, but Toronto seems willing to put up with Banton’s growing pains due to the potential he’s shown. Unless he pulls an Anthony Bennett and goes 1-26 in the preseason, Banton is coming back.