3 Players that deserve more playing time for the Raptors next season

One of the silver linings to an injury-plagued season is that it allows players further down the line to see the court more often. Role players get to play like starters, fringe players get thrust into the rotation and even two-ways and 10-days can find their way onto the court.

This season is, thankfully, almost over, but the Toronto Raptors are already making plans for next season. Which players who have been thrust into larger roles have earned the right to have consistent playing time next season?

Jontay Porter would have been on this list if he had not allegedly checked himself out of basketball games to hit the "under" on prop bets; he offers a unique and compelling combination of shot-blocking, passing and shooting.

Let's look at three other players who have all earned increased playing time next season, starting with a fringe player who deserves rotation minutes and ending with a rising young player who deserves to start next season.

No. 3: Jordan Nwora

Jordan Nwora was something of a throw-in to the Pascal Siakam deal, coming over alongside Bruce Brown and Kira Lewis Jr. Lewis is no longer with the team and Bruce Brown has been struggling in Toronto, but Jordan Nwora has stepped up in the absence of multiple perimeter players and earned a longer look next season.

The stats don't look great for Nwora, who has shot just 32.1 percent from deep since joining the Raptors, but the stats don't look good for anyone. What Nwora brings is movement shooting, tough defense and excellent rebounding ability. His size at 6'8" allows him to fit in almost any lineup, and he is likely available at something close to the minimum next season.

Nwora deserves a roster spot and a spot in the back-end rotation next season to prove his value when his shot comes around. The cost is low and the upside of finding a reliable 3-and-D player is quite high.