The Raptors didn't sign a new two-way contract player before the deadline, so now he must decide who will be granted the 15th roster spot before the end of the season.
Through 61 games in the regular season, the Toronto Raptors find themselves at the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, 2.5 games away from both home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs or the NBA Play-In Tournament. A 35-26 record leaves reason for praise and celebration after missing the playoffs for three years in a row, but the Raptors know they have more work to do to solidify their playoff spot.
Specifically, they have yet to prove their worth against the best teams in the league; if anything, they have proven time and time again that they do not belong in the same echelon as the top-10 teams in the NBA. Their record against such teams is sitting at a despicable 1-16, outside of the pre-James Harden Cleveland Cavaliers.
Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (23) and New York Knicks guard Jose Alvarado (5) | © John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
With another game coming Thursday night against a qualifying team like the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Raptors need to find their offensive rhythm and consistency late in games if they want to have a chance to beat the best teams. General manager Bobby Webster chose not to make any high-risk trades at the Feb. 5th deadline, so head coach Darko Rajakovic is essentially dealing with the roster he is going to finish the season with.
That is, assuming Webster doesn’t utilize the buyout market or two-way contracts to round out the 15th possible roster spot. Sportsnet’s Blake Murphy gave some insight as to the likelihood of options for the final spot and who it may go to.
“The Raptors were able to duck the luxury tax at the trade deadline, but they weren’t able to get far enough under the tax that they can convert a guy comfortably just yet,” said Murphy. “What you’re probably going to see is one of [Alijah Martin or AJ Lawson] get converted a little later in the year … there is a small chance that they go to the buyout market instead, but I think when you look at what Alijah Martin and AJ Lawson for a very very good Raptors 905 [G-League Affiliate] team, you look at the history of the Raptors, they like to reward internally, I think you’ll see one of those guys get converted, just not this week.”
It’s abundantly clear that Webster is not in win-now mode, as he shouldn’t be. It’s nearly impossible to take a team that has missed the playoffs for three consecutive years to a championship right away; it takes time for the players and coaching staff to develop winning habits and mindsets, which fans have seen so far this season. The general manager is doing his best to promote growth and progression this season, while trying to win as much as they can.
This long-term rebuild has proven to be extremely effective for the top two teams in the NBA, the Detroit Pistons and reigning champions Oklahoma City Thunder. Using draft capital and the trade market to grow year by year, and ultimately developing playoff experience before reaching the top of the mountain. This strategy is in full effect for the Raptors, as shown this year; there were no big-time free agent signings outside of contract extensions over the past two seasons, and there haven’t been any blockbuster trades since acquiring both RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley from the New York Knicks in December of 2023.
Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley (5) and guard/forward RJ Barrett (9) | © Brad Penner-Imagn Images
For these reasons, do not expect the Raptors to be chasing a super impactful player in the buyout market this season. Players of that caliber are often looking for championship-contending teams, and it’s clear that Toronto is trusting the process, as have those before them. Both of the aforementioned G-League rising stars have continued to develop and would be great fits on a young and aspiring Raptors team, so expect one of them to be signed in a matter of when, not if.