The Toronto Raptors were not expected to hold on to Jeff Dowtin following some extra signings in the backcourt and their full roster of guaranteed contracts, and their win against the Washington Wizards only confirmed they had no plans to keep the former Rhode Island star in town.
The Raptors waived Dowtin, as they were unwilling to part with one of their veterans to give him a backup role. This brings an end to a Raptors tenure that was well-received by fans due to his hustle and defensive skills but never seemed to impress the organization.
Dowtin’s G League rights are now in possession of the Delaware Blue Coats, the affiliate of Nick Nurse’s Philadelphia 76ers. Losing him to a hated rival’s developmental system is on the table if Dowtin doesn’t sign in China or Europe before the start of the G League season.
Between their refusal to give Dowtin a guaranteed contract, unwillingness to sign him to a proper NBA contract at the end of last season despite the fact he was getting rotation minutes, and general inability to reward him for his play, Dowtin would have every right to be a bit perturbed with how this went down.
Now confirmed. Wishing the best for Jeff Dowtin Jr. I think he's an NBA player. He's certainly paying his dues, hope he gets his reward at some point: https://t.co/39nTBIBRcI
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) October 21, 2023
More Raptors news
- Scottie Barnes suffered a foot sprain injury in the Raptors’ preseason win against the Washington Wizards. Head coach Rajakovic doesn’t seem to think his injury is anything too concerning, calling Barnes “completely fine” in his postgame media availability. It looks like Opening Night is by no means in doubt for the Raptors’ star forward.
- Rajakovic had been vocal in the past about the “growing pains” rookie guard Gradey Dick is going through, with his new head coach accusing the former Kansas star of “rushing” things. After making four 3-pointers in the win against Washington, Dick may have taken those comments to heart and learned from it.
Gradey Dick ends his preseason shooting 6-for-11 from three in 3 games against NBA teams.
— Keerthika Uthayakumar (@keerthikau) October 21, 2023
He was 4-for-5 from three tonight.
NBA news
- Four-time NBA champion Andre Iguodala, who tormented the Raptors for years with the 76ers and Warriors, is retiring after a 19-year career in his NBA. As both a dynamic young scorer in Philadelphia and an elder statesman who provided leadership in Golden State, Iguodala leaves a rich, fruitful legacy.
- CBS Sports ranked the Memphis Grizzlies as the best defense in the league, with the Wizards coming in dead last in this area. The Denver Nuggets and Detroit Pistons had the best and worst offenses, respectively.
- Toronto came in a remarkable seventh in the defensive rankings, but just 28th in the offensive version. Only the Pistons and San Antonio Spurs were worse.
Will Dowtin find a new home? Will Barnes look like his old self?