Toronto Raptors Sign Former No. 1 Pick Before Utah Jazz Game

The Toronto Raptors avoided a three-game losing streak in a 143-127 win against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center. RJ Barrett continued his dominant offensive stretch, contributing a team-high 27 points and six assists on 4-for-5 shooting from beyond the arc. Scottie Barnes impacted the game in all aspects, supplying 20 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, a steal, and a block on 8-for-10 shooting. 

Injuries have continued to plague the Raptors throughout this season, and last night was no different. They were missing three starters in Utah, including Immanuel Quickley (foot), Brandon Ingram (heel), and Jakob Poeltl (injury management/second night of a back-to-back). On the bright side, standout rookie Collin Murray-Boyles was back in the lineup after missing 11 straight games due to a left thumb sprain. 

In other news, general manager Bobby Webster made a roster transaction prior to the contest to bring up a member of the Raptors 905 G-League Affiliate team. This wasn’t just any G-League player, though, and ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the transaction via X. 

Charania announced that the Raptors brought up former No. 1 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Markelle Fultz, for a 10-day contract. After last playing with the Sacramento Kings last season, his short stint with the Raptors 905 proved that he was useful enough for another shot in the NBA. 

There was no better night for Fultz to get his shot at playing time in the league again. With Quickley out due to injury and backup point guard Jamal Shead playing some of the worst basketball of his career (3.3 points per game on 27.3% shooting and 15.0% from three in March), the former Washington Husky was given the chance to see how he compares against one of the worst teams in the league. 

Unfortunately, in 16 minutes of action Fultz was only able to add two points and five assists on 1-for-5 shooting with three turnovers. While this may not be his only opportunity to show his worth, Shead shone as a starter, supplying 15 assists and two turnovers. If he can continue to provide a great level of playmaking off the bench when Quickley is back in the lineup, there may not be much room for Fultz in the eight or nine-man rotation that head coach Darko Rajakovic consistently runs. 

Postgame, Sportsnet’s Danielle Michaud caught up with the 27-year-old on the court after the game, asking how the debut went for him. 

“Amazing,” said Fultz. “It just feels good to be back out here playing basketball, doing what I love … [Our goal was to be] physical, push the pace, use our length to get out [in transition], create open shots, and play together.”