The Toronto Raptors have 13 guaranteed contracts on the roster, leaving two vacancies players on non-guaranteed deals to secure a spot. Dalano Banton and Justin Champagnie, two rookies from last year’s team, will compete with DJ Wilson and Josh Jackson for the final spot.
Throughout the preseason, Champagnie has been hampered with an injury, giving his three teammates ample opportunities to grab one of those final roster spots. After two postseason games, all of those players have put some solid plays on tape that will make Nick Nurse stressed over this decision.
The Raptors are 2-0 in the preseason, with wins coming against the Utah Jazz by 32-points and over the Boston Celtics in an overtime thriller. If you thought last year’s decision was thought to make, this one is bordering on impossible given all of the factors in play.
All four non-guaranteed players the Raptors have on their roster can make very legitimate cases for one of the vacancies. Which one will Nurse choose? That may come down to who has the best combination of a preseason resume and a fit on their current roster.
Making a case for all 4 Toronto Raptors non-guaranteed players.
Dalano Banton
Based on what many have heard from Nick Nurse, it seems like Banton is almost a lock for one of those two spots. Considering how Banton has made many of the offensive improvements that the Raptors required him to check off during the offseason, his spot seems all but secured.
Banton has averaged 8.5 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in the preseason in just over 10 minutes played per game. If Nick Nurse wants a true point guard to take some of the pressure off Fred VanVleet, Banton would be a clear and obvious choice as a backup.
Dalano Banton has impressed the Toronto Raptors.
Banton is fresh off a sterling performance for the Canadian national team in FIBA AmeriCup play, and it looks like those performances have translated over to the Raptors. When compared to last season, Banton looks much more composed and in control as a ball-handler.
With Malachi Flynn trying to overcome an injury, Banton may have a leg up in the backup point guard hunt. At this point, the only way Banton might not make the roster is somehow regressing in such a shocking fashion that this staff is left with no choice. That’s unlikely.
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.
Josh Jackson
A former No. 1 recruit, No. 4 overall pick, and double-digit scorer just one year ago, Jackson doesn’t seem like the type of player who should be fighting for his NBA life on a camp deal. Through the first few preseason games, Jackson is making it almost impossible to part ways with him.
Jackson is averaging 11.5 points per game, with many of his shots in the Boston game helping turn the tide. While he’s never been an amazing defender in his career, Jackson appeared to be much improved with Toronto, showing consistent effort and hustle.
Josh Jackson could give the Toronto Raptors a nice scorer.
Jackson is the best choice if Nurse wants to take the best offensive player available. With a 13.4 points per game season under his belt just one season ago, Jackson has shown that his ability to attack the basket and solid jumper can get buckets semi-consistently at the NBA level.
It feels like Jackson has been in the league forever, but he is still only 25 years old. That’s younger than Juancho Hernangomez and the same age as Jeff Dowtin. After being stuck on poorly-run, losing teams like pre-Monty Williams Phoenix, Detroit, and Sacramento, Jackson can benefit from a winning culture in Toronto.
Justin Champagnie
Champagnie has not featured in either of Toronto’s two preseason games, as a nagging hip injury has sidelined him for the first two games. If Nurse is truly set on bringing Champagnie back, he doesn’t need a handful of preseason games to know he can be an NBA difference maker.
Champagnie’s best traits are his hustle and versatility, as he proved that he could be a well above-average NBA rebounder despite a 6-6 frame. His defense was admirable for a rookie playing multiple positions. If he’s fixed his 3-point shot and perimeter game, he should be a no-brainer choice.
Will the Toronto Raptors cut Justin Champagnie?
Champagnie was knocking on the rotation door as an undrafted player on a two-way contract last season, and he should be able to make an even more significant impact if he has spent time getting his perimeter game in order. Why risk completely ditching a developmental project the team has put so much time into?
Champagnie is going to make another NBA team very happy if the Raptors part ways with him. With a combination of skills that is absolutely perfect for what Toronto wants to do and a drive that has helped him scratch and claw for NBA minutes, it would take quite the effort to dislodge Champagnie.