Category: Toronto Raptors Blog

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Raptors trade Dennis Schroder, Thaddeus Young to Nets for Spencer Dinwiddie

The Brooklyn Nets have acquired guard Dennis Schröder and forward Thaddeus Young in a trade with the Toronto Raptors for guard Spencer Dinwiddie.

In a related move, the Nets have requested waivers on center Harry Giles III.

Also, the Raptors have waived Dinwiddie

Schröder (6’3″, 175) has played in 51 games (33 starts) this season for the Raptors, producing averages of 13.7 points on 44.2 percent shooting from the field, 35.0 percent shooting from 3-point range and 85.2 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 2.7 rebounds and 6.1 assists in 30.6 minutes per game. His 3.77 assist-to-turnover ratio ranks 10th in the league and represents a career-best mark, while his assists per game and turnovers per game (1.6) are both approaching the best single-season marks of his career. The 30-year-old has not missed a game this season after helping lead his native Germany to the country’s first-ever gold medal at the FIBA World Cup this past summer, earning FIBA World Cup MVP honors in the process. Across 11 NBA seasons with Atlanta (2013-18), Oklahoma City (2018-20), the Los Angeles Lakers (2020-21, 2022-23), Boston (2021-22), Houston (2022) and Toronto (2023-24), Schröder has recorded averages of 14.0 points on 43.4 percent shooting from the field, 33.8 percent shooting from distance and 83.7 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 2.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 27.1 minutes per contest in 739 games (350 starts). Schröder was originally selected with the 17th overall pick in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft by Atlanta after playing professionally for three years in Germany, garnering Bundesliga Most Improved Player and Bundesliga Best German Young Player honors in his final season in 2013 with Phantoms Braunschweig.

Young (6’8″, 225) has seen action in 1,162 games (726 starts) across 17 seasons with Philadelphia (2007-14), Minnesota (2014-15), Brooklyn, Indiana (2016-19), Chicago (2019-21), San Antonio (2021-22) and Toronto (2022-24), registering averages of 12.2 points on 50.3 percent shooting from the field, 5.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 steals in 28.3 minutes per contest.

Dinwiddie played in and started 48 games this season for the Nets, recording averages of 12.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 30.7 minutes per game. He appeared in 348 games (206 starts) across two stints with Brooklyn (2016-21, 2023-24), averaging 14.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 28.7 minutes per contest.

Giles played in 16 games off the bench for the Nets this season, averaging 3.4 points and 1.6 rebounds in 5.1 minutes per game. Giles was originally signed as a free agent by Brooklyn on Sept. 6, 2023.

Jazz trade Kelly Olynyk, Ochai Agbaji to Raptors for Kira Lewis Jr., Otto Porter Jr.

The Toronto Raptors have acquired forward-center Kelly Olynyk and guard Ochai Agbaji in a trade with the Utah Jazz for guard Kira Lewis Jr., forward Otto Porter Jr. and a 2024 first round draft pick.

Olynyk, 6-foot-11, 240 pounds, is averaging 8.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 20.4 minutes in 50 contests (eight starts) this season with the Jazz. He is shooting .562 (145-258) from the floor, including .429 (36-84) from three-point range, and has scored 10+ points in 14 games.

A native of Toronto, Olynyk played three collegiate seasons at Gonzaga (2009-13) and was picked 13th overall by Dallas in the 2013 NBA Draft. He owns career averages of 10.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 22.5 minutes in 728 contests (242 starts) with Boston, Miami, Houston, Detroit and Utah.

On the international stage Olynyk has been a longstanding member of Canada’s Senior Men’s National Team, helping the squad win bronze at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Agbaji, 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, is averaging 5.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 19.7 minutes in 51 games (10 starts) this season. He is shooting .426 (106-249) from the field and has scored in double figures eight times. Agbaji scored a season-high 21 points (7-14 FG, 5-10 3PT, 2-2 FT) Dec. 6 at Dallas.

A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Agbaji was acquired by Utah after he was picked 14th overall by Cleveland in the 2022 NBA Draft. He holds career averages of 6.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 20.1 minutes in 110 games (32 starts) with the Jazz.

Prior to the NBA, Agbaji played four seasons at Kansas (2018-22) where he was named the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player and earned consensus All-America First Team honours as a senior after helping the Jayhawks capture the 2022 NCAA National Championship.

Lewis was acquired from Indiana on Jan. 17 and appeared in one game with the Raptors. Porter averaged 3.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and 13.9 minutes in 23 games (three starts) with the Raptors after signing as a free agent in July 2022.

Raptors trade Pascal Siakam to Pacers

The Toronto Raptors have acquired guard-forward Bruce Brown, guard Kira Lewis Jr., forward Jordan Nwora and three first round draft picks in a trade with the Indiana Pacers for forward Pascal Siakam.

In a corresponding move, the Raptors have also waived centre Christian Koloko.

“Pascal is a champion, an integral part of winning teams and an example of what can be achieved with dedication, perseverance, hard work and tenacity. We’re lucky to have seen Pascal develop into the man and player that he is today – and we are grateful for everything he has done for our city and for our franchise. We wish him all good things,” Raptors Vice-Chairman and President Masai Ujiri said. “This is a time of change for our team, and we welcome Bruce, Jordan and Kira to the Raptors and to Toronto. Bruce is a world champion, and we look forward to his two-way play and added toughness on the court. We continue the work of getting better every day, and continue moving forward in our quest to win here in Toronto.”

“We’re incredibly excited to welcome Pascal to Indiana,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard. “As a two-time All-NBA selection and two-time NBA All Star, Pascal is a player that our organization has long admired and respected. We feel that his unique offensive skillset will complement our style of play, while his defensive versatility will be a valuable asset to our team.”

Siakam will wear number 43 for the Pacers.

Brown, 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, is averaging a career-high 12.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 29.7 minutes in 33 games (all starts) this season. He is shooting .475 (149-314) from the field, .327 (33-101) from three-point range and .817 (67-82) at the free throw line. Brown has scored in double figures 22 times, including a season-best 30 points Dec. 2 at Miami. He recorded his lone double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds at Denver on Jan. 14.

Now in his sixth season, Brown is averaging 8.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 25.0 minutes in 382 career games (245 starts) with Detroit, Brooklyn, Denver and Indiana. The Boston native was picked in the second round (42nd overall) by the Pistons in the 2018 NBA Draft following two collegiate seasons at Miami.

Nwora, 6-foot-9, 220 pounds, is averaging 5.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 10.2 minutes in 18 contests this season. He is shooting .451 (37-82) from the floor and scored a season-high 19 points Nov. 19 against Orlando.

A native of Buffalo, New York, Nwora was picked in the second round (45th overall) by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2020 NBA Draft. He holds career averages of 7.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 16.5 minutes in 172 games (29 starts) with Milwaukee and Indiana. Prior to the NBA, Nwora played three seasons at Louisville (2017-20) where he was a First Team All-ACC selection as a junior.

Lewis, 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, was acquired earlier Wednesday by the Pacers from the New Orleans Pelicans. He is averaging 2.9 points, 1.2 assists and 9.6 minutes in 15 games this season. Lewis owns career averages of 5.4 points, 1.8 assists and 13.8 minutes in 118 career appearances with the Pelicans. A native of Meridianville, Alabama, Lewis played two collegiate seasons at Alabama (2018-20) prior to being picked 13th overall by New Orleans in the 2020 NBA Draft. As a sophomore, he earned All-SEC First Team honours with the Crimson Tide.

Siakam was picked 27th overall by the Raptors in the 2016 NBA Draft. He averaged 17.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 31.0 minutes in 510 games (416 starts) in eight seasons with Toronto. Siakam was named to the All-NBA Team in 2019-20 (Second Team) and 2021-22 (Third Team), earned All-Star honours twice (2020, 2023), and became the first player in team history to win the NBA’s Most Improved Player (2018-19).

Siakam helped the Raptors capture their first NBA championship in 2019, and departs Toronto ranked third on the franchise’s all-time rebounds list (3,324), and fifth in scoring (8,875), assists (1846) and games played (510).

Koloko averaged 3.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 13.8 minutes in 58 games as a rookie with the Raptors last season after being picked 33rd overall in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Knicks trade RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley to Raptors for OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn

The Toronto Raptors announced Saturday that they have acquired guard Immanuel Quickley, guard-forward RJ Barrett and a 2024 second-round draft pick (via Detroit) from the New York Knicks in exchange for guard-forward OG Anunoby, forward Precious Achiuwa and guard Malachi Flynn.

“We’re excited about welcoming Immanuel and RJ to our team. Immanuel is a young, talented playmaker who we believe will provide a spark on both ends of the court. RJ is a versatile wing who is, of course, well-known in his hometown, and seeing him in a Raptors uniform will be a special moment for our fans and for all Canadians,” Toronto vice-chairman and president Masai Ujiri said. “It’s never easy to say goodbye, especially when players like OG and Malachi have spent their careers with our team. We wish Precious, Malachi and OG all the best.”

Quickley, 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, is averaging a career-high 15.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 24.0 minutes in 30 contests this season. He is shooting .454 (152-335) from the floor, including .395 (64-162) from beyond the arc, and scored in double figures in 23 games.

In his fourth season, Quickley was a finalist for the 2022-23 KIA NBA Sixth Man of the Year and was named to the 2020-21 NBA All-Rookie Second Team. In 253 career games (27 starts) with the Knicks, he averaged 12.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 24.1 minutes.

New York acquired Quickley’s draft rights after he was picked 25th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2020 NBA Draft. A native of Havre de Grace, Maryland, Quickley played two seasons at Kentucky (2018-20), earning SEC Player of the Year and All-SEC First Team honours as a sophomore.

Barrett, 6-foot-7, 224 pounds, is averaging 18.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 29.5 minutes in 26 games (all starts) this season. He is shooting .423 (164-388) from the field, .331 (43-130) from three-point range, and scored 20 or more points 10 times. Barrett had a season-high 27 points Dec. 11 against the Raptors.

A native of Toronto, Barrett is in his fifth NBA season and owns career averages of 18.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 33.2 minutes in 297 games (296 starts) with New York. He was picked third overall by the Knicks in the 2019 NBA Draft after one season at Duke (2018-19) where he was first-team All-ACC selection.

Anunoby was picked 23rd overall by the Raptors in the 2017 NBA Draft. He averaged 11.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 28.7 minutes in 395 games (321 starts) over seven seasons with Toronto. Anunoby helped the Raptors capture their first NBA championship in 2019 and was an All-Defensive Second Team selection last season.

Achiuwa averaged 8.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 21.6 minutes in 153 games (40 starts) with Toronto after he was acquired from Miami in August 2021.

Flynn was picked 29th overall by the Raptors in the 2020 NBA Draft. He averaged 5.4 points, 2.0 assists, 1.8 rebounds and 15.0 minutes in 175 career games (21 starts).

Raptors waive Ron Harper Jr., who will undergo season-ending surgery

The Toronto Raptors have waived two-way guard-forward Ron Harper Jr.

Harper, 6-foot-6, 233 pounds, averaged 2.0 points, 0.7 rebounds and 5.2 minutes in 10 career games with the Raptors after signing as an undrafted free agent prior to the 2022-23 season. He also appeared in 49 showcase and regular season games with Raptors 905, posting averages of 16.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 32.3 minutes.

Harper will undergo season-ending surgery next week after sustaining a subluxation of the left shoulder while with Raptors 905 in a game Dec. 7 at Long Island.

Toronto’s roster now stands at 15, with two two-way players.

Raptors waive Justise Winslow, Mouhamadou Gueye and Jeff Dowtin Jr.

The Toronto Raptors yesterday waived guard Jeff Dowtin Jr., and forwards Mouhamadou Gueye and Justise Winslow.

Toronto finished the preseason with a 4-0 record. The Raptors will open the 2023-24 regular season Wednesday night when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves at Scotiabank Arena at 7:30 p.m. (Sportsnet / Sportsnet 590 The FAN).

Raptors forward Precious Achiuwa injured

The Toronto Raptors revealed on Friday that forward Precious Achiuwa will miss the team’s open practice after suffering a left groin strain during a training camp exercise.

Achiuwa won’t suit up for the team’s preseason opener against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday in Vancouver.

When the team gets back to Toronto, he’ll get another evaluation, and his health will be updated as needed.

Raptors sign Garrett Temple, Mouhamadou Gueye and Kevin Obanor

The Toronto Raptors have signed guard-forward Garrett Temple, and forwards Mouhamadou Gueye and Kevin Obanor.

Both Gueye and Obanor recently played for the Raptors at NBA Summer League 2023 in Las Vegas.

Temple, 6-foot-5, 190 pounds, spent last year with New Orleans and has played 13 seasons in the NBA (2009-11, 2012-23) with 11 teams – Houston, Sacramento, San Antonio, Milwaukee, Charlotte, Washington, Memphis, LA Clippers, Brooklyn, Chicago and New Orleans. He owns career averages of 6.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 20.9 minutes in 716 games (288 starts). Temple also played one season overseas, appearing in 28 games with Novipiù Casale Monferrato in Italy during the 2011-12 campaign.

A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Temple went undrafted in 2009 before signing with the Rockets. He played collegiately at Louisiana State University (2005-09), where he left LSU as the all-time leader in games played (134), starts (131) and minutes played (4,432). As a senior, Temple was named Second Team All-SEC and earned SEC All-Defensive Team honours for the second straight year.

Gueye, 6-foot-9, 210 pounds, averaged 8.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.9 blocks and 20.7 minutes in 29 Showcase Cup and regular season games with the Texas Legends in the NBA G League last season. He shot .576 (102-177) from the field and scored in double figures 13 times. A native of Staten Island, New York, Gueye played two seasons at Stony Brook (2019-21) before transferring to Pittsburgh (2021-22) where he became the first player in Panthers history to lead the team in both three-point field goals (43) and blocks (67) in the same season.

Obanor, 6-foot-8, 235 pounds, was an All-Big 12 Honourable Mention last season after averaging team highs of 14.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 31.0 minutes in 32 games (all starts) as a fifth-year senior at Texas Tech. He scored in double digits in 24 contests, including 20 or more eight times, and recorded two double-doubles. The Houston native played three seasons at Oral Roberts (2018-21) prior to transferring to Texas Tech for his final two years of college eligibility (2021-23).

Raptors re-sign Jeff Dowtin Jr. and Ron Harper Jr., sign Javon Freeman-Liberty

The Toronto Raptors have re-signed guard Jeff Dowtin Jr.

Also, the team re-signed guard-forward Ron Harper Jr. and signed guard Javon Freeman-Liberty to two-way contracts.

Dowtin, 6-foot-3, 176 pounds, averaged 2.4 points, 1.2 assists and 10.4 minutes in 25 games as a two-way player with the Raptors last season. In 19 regular season games with Raptors 905 in the NBA G League, Dowtin averaged 16.9 points, 5.9 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 32.8 minutes. He shot .502 (117-233) from the field and scored in double figures in 17 games, including 20 or more points eight times, with the 905.

A native of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Dowtin has played in 34 career NBA games with Golden State, Milwaukee, Orlando and Toronto, averaging 2.4 points, 1.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 10.8 minutes. Prior to going undrafted in 2020, Dowtin spent his entire college career at the University of Rhode Island (2016-20) where he earned Atlantic 10 Third Team honours as a senior.

Harper, 6-foot-5, 242 pounds, returns to the Raptors where he spent his rookie season also as a two-way player. He posted averages of 2.2 points, 0.8 rebounds and 5.3 minutes in nine games with Toronto, and averaged 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.1 blocks, 1.1 steals and 32.7 minutes in 29 regular season contests with Raptors 905. He scored 10+ points in 26 games and recorded three double-doubles with the 905. Harper set season highs with 30 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds Mar. 21 against College Park.

A native of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, Harper joined the Raptors as an undrafted free agent following four seasons (2018-22) at Rutgers. As a senior, he was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team and was one of five finalists for the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award for the second consecutive season.

Freeman-Liberty, 6-foot-4, 180 pounds, appeared in 17 regular season games with Windy City in the NBA G League last season. He averaged 18.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 30.2 minutes, while shooting .493 (107-217) from the floor, including .376 (32-85) from three-point range. Freeman-Liberty scored 20+ points seven times and had season-high 39 points Jan. 16 against Cleveland.

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Freeman-Liberty played two seasons at Valparaiso (2018-20) before transferring to DePaul (2020-22) for his final two years. He earned Second Team All-BIG EAST honours as a senior after averaging 21.7 points, which ranked eighth among all NCAA Division l players.

Raptors sign forward Jalen McDaniels

The Toronto Raptors have signed forward Jalen McDaniels to a multi-year contract.

McDaniels, 6-foot-9, 205 pounds, averaged 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 23.9 minutes in 80 games (24 starts) with the Charlotte Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers last season. He shot .455 (281-617) from the field and .841 (116-138) from the free throw line. He scored 20+ points in six games, including a career-high 26 points Jan. 16 vs. Boston.

“Jalen is a hard-working, defensive-minded player who we believe has tremendous potential for growth,” Vice-Chairman and President Masai Ujiri said. “He brings versatility to both ends of the floor, and we’re excited to see him develop as a member of the Raptors.”

In 56 games (21 starts) for the Hornets last year, McDaniels averaged 10.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 26.7 minutes. He recorded nine games with three-or-more steals and five games with two-or-more blocks. After being acquired by the 76ers at the trade deadline, he averaged 6.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 17.5 minutes in 24 games (three starts).

The four-year pro has played in 198 games (44 starts) with Charlotte and Philadelphia, sporting career averages of 7.7 points (.465 FG%, .345 3PT%, .784 FT%), 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 20.2 minutes. The Federal Way, Washington native was selected in the second round (52nd overall) by the Hornets in the 2019 NBA Draft. He played for two seasons at San Diego State, where he was named to the All-Mountain West Conference Tournament First Team and the All-MWC Second Team as a sophomore. His younger brother, Jaden McDaniels currently plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves while his cousin, Juwan Howard, is a former 19-year NBA veteran.