The case for each Raptors non-guaranteed player to make roster
By Mike Luciano
D.J. Wilson
Wilson became a fairly popular guy in Toronto despite a lack of playing time, as he managed to somehow parlay a 10-day COVID-19 replacement contract into multiple 10-day deals and a non-guaranteed multi-year offer. Based on the early preseason results, Nurse might just be falling in love with the former first-round pick.
Wilson has put up solid averages of 8.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in the preseason, showing off the athletic ability that made him a first-round pick coming out of Michigan. While his shot can still use some work, it looks better than when we last saw him.
Will D.J. Wilson earn a spot with the Toronto Raptors?
The biggest obstacle standing in the way of Wilson is the fact that Khem Birch and Christian Koloko are taking up spots in the pecking order. However, Wilson could be retained if Toronto decides to go even more overboard in their commitment to defensive versatility and length.
Wilson had the best interior defense potential of the four players, and he’s not as much of an offensive liability as he appeared to be during his time in Milwaukee. If given enough attention (and if he keeps being a defensive pest), there’s no reason why Nurse would deny Wilson minutes.