Raptors forward Yuta Watanabe has been able to eke out a consistent rotational role with Toronto this season, as Doug Smith of The Toronto Star details. Watanabe, who went undrafted in 2018 out of George Washington University, spent two seasons on a two-way deal with the Grizzlies before joining the Raptors at the start of the 2020/21 season. Watanabe is averaging 12.2 MPG with the club, converting 42.9% of his 1.6 three-point attempts.
All-Star teammate Kyle Lowry hailed the 6’9″ wing’s contributions: “He’s going to dive for loose balls, and he’s going to be at the right spot, and he’s going to give you everything (he’s) got. He just plays with an extreme hardness.”
Smith notes that Watanabe, currently on a two-way contract with Toronto, is likely to see his deal converted to a full NBA contract within the next month.
There’s more out of Toronto:
- Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report wonders if Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry‘s charmed tenure with Toronto may be wrapping up soon. “There’s a time capsule for everybody and everything,” one Western Conference executive said, “and it’s probably just time to move on.” Lowry signed a one-year, $30.5MM extension with Toronto that will make him an unrestricted free agent at the end of the current 2020/21 season. Though he has been his reliably excellent self, the team has stumbled out of the gate to a 10-13 record and the No. 9 seed in the East. Fischer points to several teams who could benefit from the still-productive lead guard’s services this season, including the Heat, Clippers, Pelicans and Magic.
- After the Raptors’ title-winning frontcourt tandem of Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol fled for championship-caliber rosters in sunny Los Angeles during the offseason, the club could still be mulling ways to fortify its center position. Sources tell The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor that the Raptors are among the teams interested in adding Cavaliers center Andre Drummond, currently earning $28.8MM this season on an expiring deal.
- The Raptors are sending rookies Malachi Flynn and Jalen Harris to the NBAGL’s Orlando “bubble” campus to get some extended development this season. Doug Smith of The Toronto Star previews their upcoming adventure with Toronto’s G League affiliate, Raptors 905.
Raptors really like Dinosaur
Idea
Lowry to Spurs
Drummond to Raptors
Aldridge to Cavs
Picks and filler if needed
Lowry and DeRozan are friends
Pass. We don’t want another 3 point shooting PF on a bad contract with nothing to offer defensively.
Why would the Raptors give up Kyle Lowry to get Andre Drummond?
Great idea!
Raptures have a forward called you Yuta Wantabe? You-da Wannabe pronounced?
Ooo I like Lowry on the Pelicans
I like Lowry with Sixers. End your career at Hm.
Drummond could be the catalyst for a Mavs turnaround. Ship out Powell and James Johnson – any type of draft compensation should get it done.
A Vucevic trade preferably or trade for Bamba so he can finally blossom. Dwight Powell is also a better fit. I would actually prefer the raptors to outright sign Dedmon or Skal Labissier, but there just me. Drummond is a better option for the pels,hornets or mavs in my opinion….
Sounds like the makings of a 3-way. McCaw, Stanley Johnson, and Matt Thomas would get that deal done.
2nd from Toronto 2nd from Mavs.
It would get it done (for Dwight Powell). Raps should just sign Dedmon or Skal Labissier. I don’t know why Masai hasn’t made the acquisition yet…
prob cuz of luxury tax
There was a time people were saying Raptors were better off without Lowry. Now they are saying Lowry is better off without Raptors.
My my how quickly the narratives change.
legit we need an athletic, shot blocking 5. baynes is a bad floor spacer and shooter and is too slow for pick and rolls, bembry and boucher r undersized, and johnson can’t shoot. those r the issues ujri needs to address.
trade baynes-2021 second rounder for favors
trade davis, johnson, and mccaw for terrence ross or dwayne bacon or powell, johnson, and bembry for jabari parker and 1st rounder