The Toronto Raptors could have used one of their three two-way contract spots to roll the dice on a toolsy young player the organization hasn’t seen before, but they chose to eschew that and once again bring back former undrafted free agent forward Ron Harper Jr.
Harper, the son of the Chicago Bulls legend, was a surprising undrafted free agent following a very productive college career at Rutgers. At 6-5 and around 240 pounds, Toronto was intrigued by Harper’s unique build, ability to play multiple positions, and ability to take and make clutch shots.
Harper was impressive in the G League, but he signed a two-way contract once again this season because he didn’t impress any NBA team enough to get a full NBA contract. There were flashes, but most of his production came when the outcome of the game had already been decided.
Harper wouldn’t have been brought back if the Raptors didn’t think that he had enough potential to work with. After turning Yuta Watanabe into a reliable NBA backup and Jeff Dowtin into a solid bench presence, could Harper be Toronto’s next two-way success story? Physically, he has all the tools.
Forward Ron Harper Jr., has agreed on a new two-way contract to the return to the Toronto Raptors, Drew Gross of @rocnationsports tells ESPN. Harper Jr., averaged 17 points and five rebounds in his rookie season with the Raptors’ G League affiliate.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 20, 2023
Toronto Raptors 21 in 21: Did Ron Harper Jr. improve?
Stats (G League): 17.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.1 APG, 50% FG, 36% 3PT
Harper averaged 2.2 points per game in nine NBA games, but he very rarely saw extended action. Even at 23 years old, Harper’s play in the lower level was so dominant and varied that the Raptors would be foolish to let him leave and potentially join a division rival.
Best Case for Ron Harper Jr. in 2023-24
Harper fines a defined role in Darko Rajakovic’s system, likely as a wing that can vacillate over to guard. Harper has long been regarded as a solid 3-point shooter, but the addition of Rajakovic might help him take a step forward in that area as he moves toward an even higher tier.
Harper is a terrific passer for his size, and the combination of his shot and improved vision on the court should be enough to make him one of the best players in the G League. In terms of getting some NBA looks, he could easily supplant a veteran at the end of the bench if the guy he was at Rutgers starts to emerge.
Worse Case for Ron Harper Jr. in 2023-24
Harper’s offense doesn’t come along like the Raptors thought it would, leaving him in the David Johnson tier of players who get stuck in the G League for too long. The jack of all trades, master of none designation would leave Harper once again in need of some consistent role.
Harper doesn’t have Markquis Nowell’s passing or Javon Freeman-Liberty’s on-ball scoring skill, which means he could be third on the proverbial pecking order among the two-ways. Harper is still worth keeping an eye on, but his plan could go sideways if not given the attention he needs.