Toronto Raptors: SF Josh Jackson contract details revealed

The Toronto Raptors needed to add one more wing to the roster after cutting bait with Svi Mykhailiuk right before training camp started. With the Sacramento Kings uninterested in bringing back Josh Jackson after last year, the Raptors were very quick to pounce on him. 

After fizzling in Phoenix following his high draft selection at No. 4 overall, Jackson linked up with former Raptors coach Dwane Casey in Detroit. The Pistons saw Jackson get back to his old form with 13.4 points per game, but he fell to just 6.4 last year amid his trade to Sacramento.

The Raptors are not overly committed to Jackson given the fact he didn’t get a huge contract, but they did leave the door open for him potentially becoming a valued member of the bench. If he survives preseason cuts, there’s a nice pot of gold waiting for him at the end of the rainbow.

Jackson signed a one-year, non-guaranteed deal with Toronto worth just over $2 million. While this was to be expected given how Toronto is right up against the salary camp, it gives Jackson a non-insignificant chunk of change if he can make himself a Raptors rotation mainstay.

Toronto Raptors: Josh Jackson signed a non-guaranteed contract.

Jackson is a bit different than most of the wings on Toronto’s roster in that his game is centered around leaping to the rim with explosive athleticism. Going against the Raptors’ usual type, to a degree, could help set him apart when compared to some of the other non-guaranteed hopefuls.

Jackson’s defense is iffy, but he can be prone to spontaneous moments of brilliance when he’s given an opportunity to let his talents shine. If his shot is still questionable, landing with a shot doctor like Nick Nurse might be the factor his career was always missing.

Jackson’s main competition for a roster spot will be Juancho Hernangomez, who has a fully guaranteed contract, and DJ Wilson, who impressed for Toronto last season. If Jackson can prove that last season was a fluke rather than the norm, he might be able to beat out some more established players on this roster.

Jackson is being thrown a bone after a lousy season based solely on his athletic ability and 2020-21 season, but the idea of what he could be in the right situation is so enticing that Toronto had to see what he’s all about from a physical point of view. If he hits his stride, Jackson may extend his career in Toronto.