On a team already stacked with wings, it’s easy for someone like A.J. Lawson to get forgotten in the mix or to be given fewer opportunities to showcase himself compared to his teammates. And I certainly think that sentiment is valid in a sense, but that's where a showcase like Summer League proved to be a commanding statement for Lawson.
Beyond a shadow of a doubt, Lawson was easily the Raptors' best player at the recent 2K26 Summer League.
If you don't believe me, just take a look at what the 25-year-old Toronto native was able to accomplish in his hot four-game stretch: 18.5 points on 50% field goal shooting, 45% from three, 5.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 steals, and close to a block (0.8), in 23.9 minutes played per appearance.
Lawson caught an offensive spark that just kept going, and I strongly believe that if he hadn't missed Toronto's semi-final matchup against Sacramento, the Raptors could have easily won that game and advanced to the Summer League finals. I think many people — and even betting sheets at the time —believed the Raptors had a real shot at coming out on top and winning it all.
Think about how that game played out. Even as the Kings — and especially Isaac Jones — were decimating the Raptors, their relentless defensive spirit proved undeniable. They were on pace to turn it into a nail-biter, but it just wasn't enough. Toronto didn't really have a go-to guy on offense to counter Sacramento, and that's where Lawson would've truly been the saving grace.
This past season, I was beyond impressed by what Lawson brought to the Raptors during a time when they were just trying to reach the finish line, all while discovering a few gems along the way. I noted Lawson as another example of Masai Ujiri and the Raptors hitting on "another diamond in the rough player."
A.J. Lawson’s impact is clear ... Raptors need to keep him in the fold
Lawson's efforts saw him go from a two-way guy to earning a standard two-year NBA contract, but I highlighted in a subsequent piece that the deal was still non-guaranteed, as Toronto could opt to waive him prior to the start of the 2025-26 season "if they feel his development has stalled or if they decide he’s not the right fit for their future."
Some nearly four months later, I think Lawson is building a tremendous case for Toronto to grant him that final roster spot. Sure, he still has two months to continue cementing his status and to shine even more in scrimmages, training camp, and preseason, but what sets Lawson apart is that he's one of our own ... a hometown boy through and through.
I think the organization can greatly benefit from having guys on their roster who embody Canadian fighting spirit and pride, and A.J. Lawson fits that bill to a tee. He's a pure hooper and gamer who can catch fire whenever his name is called. While I doubt he'd be a consistent piece in the main roster rotation right away, it's always a bonus to have a player with a deep offensive game as a secret weapon.
I'm sure that if Toronto were to cut ties with Lawson, he'd be more than ready to unleash his skills for another organization ... and that would be a shame.