The Toronto Raptors found Summer League to be a less-than-fulfilling experience in 2023. Despite the solid play of first-round pick Gradey Dick, the Raptors lost convincingly in their first two games and could not hold on to a sizeable lead in their third.
Besides Dick showing off why he will be a good scorer at the NBA level and two-way signing Markquis Nowell exhibiting the passing skills that made him a college star despite his 5-7 frame, there hasn’t been much to shout about. The team looked disjointed and too willing to jack up shots.
As a result, the list of players that have a legitimate shot of making the Raptors’ roster or Raptors 905 pool has shrunk considerably. Some players weren’t even good enough to get a ton of minutes against other Summer League players in this exhibition.
While names like Darryl Morsell and DJ Hogg managed to show enough to get the Raptors’ interest in them as developmental names piqued once more, these three players have flexed their muscles enough to warrant some consideration for either a G League deal or one of the two vacant two-way contracts.
3 Toronto Raptors who locked down roster spots in Summer League
3. Ron Harper Jr
Harper has been shooting poorly in Summer League, but very few members of this team are struggling from deep. After signing him immediately following the 2022 NBA Draft, the same team who is still employing Malachi Flynn and David Johnson likely will keep working on the son of former NBA champion Ron Harper Sr.
Harper has been one of the better rebounders on the team, all while showing that his on-ball defense has taken strides since his rookie season. His ferocious slam was one of the best highlights from Toronto’s recent loss against Ausar Thompson and the Detroit Pistons.
Will Ron Harper Jr. make the Toronto Raptors?
Harper is a very unique player from a physical point of view, as he was the primary perimeter initiator at Rutgers despite a frame that is just shy of 250 pounds. The Raptors have taken all sorts of unusual body types and made them stars, and Harper could be their next project.
Harper’s shot will start falling, as he performed well in the G League last season and hit a few open jumpers in his limited NBA experience. Harper’s tools were on display, as he was one of the few Summer League players who looked like a professional athlete.