3 non-Jeff Dowtin players who could have filled Raptors’ final roster spot
By Mike Luciano
The Toronto Raptors have officially filled up all of their three two-way contract spots. Markquis Nowell was signed after the NBA Draft, and Masai Ujiri moved quickly to sign former Toronto UDFA signing Ron Harper Jr. and ex-Bulls standout Javon Freeman-Liberty to the final two slots.
The Raptors had one NBA roster spot that is still open. That was a bit odd for a team that has usually had a handful of players on non-guaranteed deals compete for multiple open spots in the preseason. Toronto may make a trade that eventually opens up one more place, but such a move might not be set in stone.
The Raptors eventually managed to retain Jeff Dowtin on a deal that will likely give him some stability in what has been a very chaotic career. Dowtin signed a contract that will provide him with a good chunk of change if he makes it past the preseason and qualifies for the opening night roster.
One of these three players remains without a club following the Dowtin news. They stand out as names that should have no trouble finding a role in the NBA at some point shortly, but that next job is almost assuredly not going to come from the Raptors.
3 non-Jeff Dowtin players who could have filled Toronto Raptors’ final roster spot.
3. Moses Brown
Part of the reason that 5-7 Nowell was so terrific in Summer League was the fact that 7-2 Brown served as the primary pick-and-roll partner. Brown may not have earned a contract with the Raptors yet, but he could have been worth Toronto’s time after impressing in Las Vegas.
Brown has played with six different teams in just a handful of NBA seasons, meaning that a very raw player has been unable to get the consistent developmental energy and focus he needed. If they signed him, Toronto could have been willing to give him that attention.
Will the Toronto Raptors sign Moses Brown?
Brown would be behind Christian Koloko in the pecking order, but he’s still worth looking at. In his limited NBA action, he has shown to be a solid interior finisher and rebounder. Where he could have benefitted from Darko Rajakovic and Eric Khoury is on the defensive end as a rim protector.
The Brown scenario is not too dissimilar to what DJ Wilson went through in the past. While some, including the front office, may think it will be hard to carve out a space for him on the Raptors, some other team will be out there to give him yet another shot in the pros.