Yesterday, I reported on the Raptors' decision to waive two players, Cole Swider and Orlando Robinson, as they adjust their roster with the end of the 2024-25 season approaching.
With those moves made, I mentioned that Raptors fans would soon hear about a roster change. The franchise has now promoted a local wing talent to a standard NBA contract.
ESPN's NBA insider Shams Charania reported on X, according to Todd Ramasar and Mike Simonetta of Life Sports Agency, that the Toronto Raptors are converting AJ Lawson from his two-way deal to a new two-year contract.
AJ Lawson remains with the Raptors on a new two-year deal
Lawson joined the Raptors in December, bringing an extra touch of Canadian pride to a roster that already featured Toronto natives RJ Barrett and Kelly Olynyk (at that time), along with Montreal native Chris Boucher.
Before joining the Raptors, Lawson played for the Dallas Mavericks for two years and had a brief one-game main roster appearance with the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, he really made his name in the G League, where he showcased his skills as an efficient scorer for multiple teams.
Lawson has played in 24 games for the Raptors this season, where he's put up solid numbers: 8.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. His shooting efficiency could improve a bit, as he’s averaging 42.8% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc. However, this could largely be associated to Lawson getting more offensive opportunities late in the season.
When he’s at his best, Lawson has shown he can be a surprisingly effective reserve player. I even referred to him as another potential "diamond in the rough" discovery for Masai Ujiri.
For Lawson, finally getting a fair shot with an NBA franchise must mean everything. After bouncing around the open market without a real opportunity to show what he can do, being rewarded by his hometown team, the Toronto Raptors, is likely a dream come true for the 24-year-old wing.
His job isn’t secure just yet, as the Raptors could choose to waive him before the next season starts if they feel his development has stalled or if they decide he’s not the right fit for their future. Still, I’m hopeful that Lawson can become a solid third-string backup wing if his time with the Raptors continues. We’ll just have to follow Lawson’s journey and see what progress he can make next.