The Toronto Raptors finally made a center signing. After an offseason full of the fan base begging the front office to bolster the frontcourt, Bobby Webster finally did by signing Trey Jemison III. The 26-year-old big man comes in to fill Toronto’s final two-way roster spot ahead of training camp.
Jemison III is a three-year NBA pro who attended Clemson and UAB before starting his NBA career with the Washington Wizards. Since then, the former undrafted free agent has spent time with the Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Los Angeles Lakers, and, most recently, winning a championship with the New York Knicks last season.
Over three years, Jemison III has appeared in 76 games and has always been the third or fourth center option in each of his stops around the league. I’ll get one thing straight with this signing: Jemison III isn’t a high-upside play. He doesn’t have any real floor-spacing potential, isn’t some post playmaker, and doesn't bring giant-like size, standing just 6-foot-10. However, he is the right signing, as time and time again he’s proven to be a good play finisher and high-level rebounder.
Jemison III isn’t a flashy signing but rather the right one.
Trey Jemison III isn’t flashy, but effective
When you’re a contending team like the Raptors hope to be if the Kawhi Leonard trade is ever put through, two-way contracts become crucial. In an Eastern Conference that is set to be very deep and competitive, every game is going to be physically demanding. With that comes injuries and players needing to sit out back-to-backs, etc.
That's where Jemison III projects to add the most value.
He's eligible for 50 games as a two-way player, so on nights where Jakob Poeltl is resting, he’ll likely get his name called to try and provide a bench spark. His whole role will be to extend possessions with his rebounding and to be a screener who frees up the stars in the pick-and-roll. Jemison III won’t be some everyday player and will only be used in specific matchups. But for a contending team, that can provide a ton of regular season value
He gives head coach Darko Rajakovic another option outside of Trayce Jackson-Davis to back up Collin Murray-Boyles when Jak sits.
This type of role is one Jemison III already knows and plays well. Last season in New York, he filled in as needed and bounced between the G League and the NBA as needed. Jemison III having an understanding of that role already and finding success in it is likely why Toronto outright gave him a two-way instead of having to compete for it at camp.
Jemison III isn’t the type of big-name splash a lot of fans wanted to see Toronto make at the five this offseason. But that shouldn’t overshadow how smart a move signing him to a two-way deal was by Bobby Webster and the front office. They needed another option at the five and someone who, when asked to, can eat up minutes as a rebounder and play finisher, and Trey Jemison III is exactly that.
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