3 Raptors who have earned a spot on the 2023-24 roster
By Mike Luciano
The Toronto Raptors have played most of the year with a very suspect second unit, as the lack of consistent 3-point shooting off the bench and inability to perform when the chips are down are part of the reason Toronto is a play-in contender rather than a playoff fixture.
It’s not unreasonable to suggest that everyone outside of Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes should be on the table when it comes to evaluating their worth as complementary pieces next season. This roster is likely going to look much different next year.
However, there have been multiple players that have shown they can piece together some worthwhile nights amid all of the consternation and struggle around them. Even though they may not always have the gaudiest box score, they have performed admirably.
When Masai Ujiri is getting the plans for the 2023-24 Raptors squad finalized, he needs to make sure that these three players are included on next year’s initial team sheet. They’ve played too hard and too well in their opportunities to be cast aside.
3 Toronto Raptors who earned a spot on 2023-24 roster.
3. PG Jeff Dowtin Jr.
Dowtin has been so impressive after signing a two-way contract in the offseason that he has many Raptors fans wondering why the team hasn’t reworked their roster and given him a regular NBA contract at this point. Toronto has tried many backup point guard options, but he might be the best one.
Dowtin will not put up the gaudiest scoring numbers in the world, but he’s shown to be consistently effective enough on offense to finish off a couple of timely looks when given a chance. Between his pesky defense and tremendous passing, Dowtin can hold down the fort while Fred VanVleet rests.
Jeff Dowtin Jr. must be back with the Toronto Raptors.
Toronto must be kicking themselves after giving Joe Wieskamp a multi-year deal before Dowtin. Wieskamp likely throws a parade if he gets in the game, while Dowtin has shown that he can already be a more reliable rotation guard than former first-round pick Malachi Flynn.
Dowtin’s speed as a ball-handler and feisty nature on the court has helped him overcome long odds and make it to the pros. If we are going truly on merit, Dowtin should end up getting the standard Raptors non-guaranteed multi-year deal and return in 2023-24.