Garrett Temple was an integral part of the Raptors organization for three seasons. He may not have played much, never averaging more than 10.7 minutes per game over his three seasons in Toronto, but he provided valuable experience and leadership. His fifteen seasons of NBA experience were crucial during the team’s return to the playoffs last season. After all, most key players on the roster were very young, including three first- and second-year players in Collin Murray-Boyles, Jamal Shead, and Ja’Kobe Walter.
But with bigger goals and higher expectations, reserving a roster spot for Temple without the promise of any on-court production quickly became a luxury the Raptors couldn’t afford anymore. Temple was ready to move on, too. He took on an assistant coaching job with the Dallas Mavericks.
The Raptors were able to replace Temple’s experience this offseason. Kawhi Leonard has 14 seasons of NBA experience under his belt, and Kyle Anderson joins the Raptors after playing 12 seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, and Utah Jazz.
Leonard will have to provide strong on-court production as well as leadership, but the Raptors are also hoping that Anderson can take on a role similar to what Temple did—only with the promise of more on-court production. Anderson may not be in the top nine of Darko Rajakovic’s rotation, but he should be able to play solid minutes when his number is called.
“His career is changing now, and I’m having similar conversations now with him like I had with Garrett Temple two or three years ago,” Rajakovic said in a media availability on Tuesday. “Just like the more you’re doing the leadership and mentorship and all of those kinds of things that are helping the team not necessarily just if you’re going to make a shot or not and your contribution on the court, it just grows your value. And his voice in huddles, his voice in the locker room, it’s going to be very important, and he’s ready for it.”
Kyle Anderson is in a new stage of his career
Between 2018 and 2024, Kyle Anderson was a consistent rotational player for the Grizzlies and Timberwolves. He went on two deep playoff runs with the Grizzlies and Timberwolves, playing important minutes off the bench.
In July 2024, Anderson signed a three-year deal with the Warriors, but they sent him to Miami when they traded for Jimmy Butler. A year later, the Heat traded Anderson to the Utah Jazz. His tenure there didn’t last very long either, as he was sent to the Grizzlies in the trade that moved Jaren Jackson Jr. The Grizzlies waived him, and he signed with Minnesota for the rest of the season.
Establishing himself as a veteran leader with the Raptors should help make the transition from trusted role player to end-of-bench player easier. Veteran leadership always matters. Being known as a leader and valuable locker room presence can prolong careers for players who are not stars that continue to put up big numbers into their mid- to late-thirties.
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