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Raptors sign Otto Porter Jr.

The Toronto Raptors announced yesterday they have signed forward Otto Porter Jr. to a multi-year contract.

Porter Jr., 6-foot-8, 198 pounds, averaged 8.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 22.2 minutes in 63 games (15 starts) with Golden State last season. He shot .464 (193-416) from the field, including .370 (80-216) from three-point range, scored in double figures 26 times, and recorded five double-doubles. In the playoffs, he helped the Warriors capture the NBA championship, averaging 5.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 19.5 minutes in 19 games (three starts).

“As an organization that’s working toward our next title, we believe that Otto – who understands what it takes to be an NBA Champion – is a great addition to the Raptors. He has proven himself at the highest levels in our game,” General Manager Bobby Webster said. “He’s a versatile defender and high-level shooter who fits well with our team both on and off the court. We really value his high basketball IQ, his connections to our city, and we’re looking forward to getting started.”

A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Porter Jr. has played nine seasons in the NBA after being selected third overall by Washington in the 2013 draft. He has appeared in 504 career games (316 starts), averaging 10.6 points (.477 field goal percentage, .398 three-point percentage, .794 free throw percentage), 5.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.13 steals in 26.0 minutes with Washington, Chicago, Orlando and Golden State. Porter Jr. has appeared in 50 career postseason contests (21 starts), averaging 8.2 points (.491 field goal percentage, .359 three-point percentage, .726 free throw percentage), 5.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.12 steals in 25.9 minutes. Prior to being drafted by the Wizards, Porter Jr. played two seasons at Georgetown (2011-13).

Raptors sign Thaddeus Young to contract extension

The Toronto Raptors have re-signed forward Thaddeus Young to a multi-year contract extension.

Young, 6-foot-8, 235 pounds, averaged 6.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 16.3 minutes in 52 games with Toronto and San Antonio last season. He shot .518 (141-272) from the field, including .354 (17-48) from three-point range, and scored in double figures 16 times. Young was acquired from the Spurs at the trade deadline. In 26 games with the Raptors, he averaged 6.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 18.3 minutes.

“Thad is a high-level professional who complements our core very well, he integrated himself into the fabric of the team last season and we’re excited he chose to re-sign here in Toronto,” said Raptors General Manager Bobby Webster. “He is a smart and versatile player who will continue to provide valuable leadership to our younger players on the court and in the locker room.”

A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Young has played 15 seasons in the NBA after being picked 12th overall by Philadelphia in the 2007 draft. He holds career averages of 12.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 29.3 minutes in 1,085 games (711 starts) with Philadelphia, Minnesota, Brooklyn, Indiana, Chicago, San Antonio and Toronto. Young has also reached the postseason nine times, averaging 9.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 27.6 minutes in 57 career playoff contests (17 starts). Prior to being drafted by the Sixers, Young played one collegiate season at Georgia Tech (2006-07).

Raptors’ Scottie Barnes wins 2021-22 NBA Rookie of the Year award

The Toronto Raptors announced on Saturday that swingman Scottie Barnes has been named NBA Rookie of the Year for the 2021-22 season. Barnes joins Vince Carter (1998-99) and Damon Stoudamire as the third player in franchise history to earn the honor.

Barnes was selected fourth overall by the Raptors in the 2021 NBA Draft (1995-96).

“We are incredibly proud of Scottie, and are thrilled and grateful that his hard work has been recognized with this honour,” Toronto Raptors Vice-Chairman and President Masai Ujiri said. “What you see on the court is exactly who Scottie is: enthusiastic. Joyful. Athletic. Skilled, and a winner. We – and our fans – loved seeing his development through this season, and we can’t wait to see what the future brings.”

Barnes received 378 points (48 first-place votes) from a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters. Cleveland Cavaliers forward-center Evan Mobley finished in second place with 363 points (43 first-place votes). The 15-point difference between the first- and second-place finishers marks the smallest margin in NBA Rookie of the Year balloting under the current voting format, which began with the 2002-03 season.

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham finished in third place with 153 points (nine first-place votes). Players were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote.

Barnes averaged 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.08 steals, 0.74 blocks, and 35.4 minutes per game (first among all rookies) in 74 games (all starts) this season, and was the only rookie to rank in the top five in scoring, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. He scored 20 points or more 17 times and had 13 double-doubles while shooting.492 (459-932). In ten games, Barnes led the club in scoring, rebounds 21 times, and assists 15 times.

Barnes, a native of West Palm Beach, Florida, was voted Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month twice (in February and March/April) and competed in the NBA All-Star Rising Stars and Taco Bell Skills Challenge. He became the first Raptors rookie – and the only rookie in the NBA this season – to score 1000 points, 500 rebounds, and dish out 250 assists in their rookie season. Barnes was also the first rookie to average 15.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists since Luka Doncic (2018-19).

Barnes’ year was highlighted by season highs of 31 points (14-21 FG, 1-4 3PT, 2-2 FT) and 17 rebounds against the Los Angeles Lakers on Mar. 18. In a road win against Denver on Mar. 12, he scored 25 points and had a season-high 10 assists. Barnes equaled a season high with 28 points, 16 rebounds, and five thefts against the Brooklyn Nets on Feb. 28, becoming the only rookie since Shaquille O’Neal (1993) to score at least 25 points, 15 rebounds, and five steals in the same game.

Raptors sign guard Armoni Brooks to a second 10-day contract

The Toronto Raptors have signed guard Armoni Brooks to a second 10-day contract.

Brooks, 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, appeared in four games during his first 10-day contract with the Raptors. He logged 22 minutes March 12 at Denver, recording three points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block. In 45 games (nine starts) with Houston and Toronto this season, Brooks is averaging 5.7 points, 1.9 rebounds and 16.1 minutes.

A native of Waco, Texas, Brooks holds career averages of 7.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 19.1 minutes in 65 games (14 starts) with Houston and Toronto. He signed a two-way contract with the Rockets in April 2021 following two seasons in the G League with College Park (2019-20) and Rio Grande Valley (2020-21).

Brooks played three collegiate seasons at Houston (2016-19) where he was named All-AAC Second Team as a junior. He went undrafted in 2019.

The latest on the Raptors

For the latest on the Toronto Raptors, here’s the Toronto Sun reviewing a pretty basic yet essential thing basketball teams must do to win:

In a make-or-miss league, the Raptors have been woefully amiss with their ability to drain shots.

Not surprisingly, they haven’t been able post wins of late.

With two critical pieces are unavailable in the wake of injuries, the margin for error is slimmer for a team whose depth has always been an area of concern.

In Sunday’s loss to the host Cleveland Cavaliers, the first of a six-game trip for the Raptors, the only bench player to score for the visitors was Precious Achiuwa, who would end the night with a negative-28 rating.

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Raptors guard Malachi Flynn out with hamstring strain

Toronto Raptors guard Malachi Flynn sustained a strained left hamstring in Friday’s game against the Orlando Magic.

Flynn had started the previous four games for the Raptors, averaging 16.0 points, 5.5 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 35.6 minutes during this stretch. He scored a season-high 20 points and tied a season best with eight assists in 39 minutes against the Magic.

Flynn is out indefinitely, and his condition will be updated as appropriate.

Raptors sign Armoni Brooks to 10-day contract, and release D.J. Wilson

The Toronto Raptors have signed guard Armoni Brooks to a 10-day contract.

And in a corresponding move, the Raptors have released forward D.J. Wilson.

Brooks, 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, is averaging 6.2 points, 2.0 rebounds and 16.8 minutes in 41 games (eight starts) with Houston this season. He is shooting .347 (87-251) from the field and has scored in double figures 10 times, including a season-high 21 points Dec. 10 at Milwaukee. The Rockets waived Brooks at the NBA trade deadline who also appeared in two games with College Park in the NBA G League earlier this month.

A native of Waco, Texas, Brooks holds career averages of 7.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 19.8 minutes in 61 games (13 starts) with Houston (2020-22). He signed a two-way contract with the Rockets in April 2021 following two seasons in the G League with College Park (2019-20) and Rio Grande Valley (2020-21). Brooks is averaging 12.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 23.7 minutes in 60 career G League contests.

Prior to the G League, Brooks played three collegiate seasons at Houston (2016-19) where he was named All-AAC Second Team as a junior. He went undrafted in 2019.

Pistons coach Dwane Casey is good at beating his former team

Coach Dwane Casey’s Detroit Pistons have been in a rebuilding phase, but despite that, his squad suddenly turns into a winner when facing his former team. Via the Toronto Star:

Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse, frustrated all night by a whistle that was blown a little too often for his liking, finally had it and lost it on an official.

He was ejected, but the 19,548 fans at Scotiabank Arena gave him a hero’s goodbye, cheering him back to the locker-room. Detroit Pistons head coach Dwane Casey, who Nurse replaced as Raptors head coach in 2018, cracked a smile at the scene.

Toronto was down 16 points late in the third quarter when Nurse was ejected but the Raptors almost came back in a 108-106 loss to Detroit on Thursday…

Casey had been Toronto’s head coach with Nurse working as one of his assistants until May 2018 when Casey was fired in the off-season. Casey has a 9-3 record against the Raptors including six straight victories.

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