The Toronto Raptors have multiple players fighting for a roster spot in the build-up to the start of the regular season, which is not unusual given how the team has operated over the last few seasons. DJ Wilson is one of the hungry youngsters fighting for a spot.
Wilson was initially signed as a COVID-19 replacement who didn’t figure to last with the team beyond his initial trial run.
After very impressive showings during his initial 10-day contract, Wilson was brought back two more times and eventually signed to the standard Raptors non-guaranteed multi-year deal in the offseason.
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Check out the Toronto Raptors NBA 2022-23 Roster
No. | Player | Pos | Ht | Wt | Birth Date | Exp | College |
Chris Boucher | PF | 6-9 | 200 | January 11, 1993 | 5 | Oregon | |
Josh Jackson | SF | 6-8 | 207 | February 10, 1997 | 5 | Kansas | |
Christian Koloko | C | 7-1 | 230 | June 20, 2000 | R | Arizona | |
Thaddeus Young | PF | 6-8 | 235 | June 21, 1988 | 15 | Georgia Tech | |
Gabe Brown | F | 6-8 | 215 | March 5, 2000 | R | Michigan State | |
Juancho Hernangómez | PF | 6-9 | 214 | September 28, 1995 | 6 | ||
Jeff Dowtin (TW) | PG | 6-3 | 185 | May 10, 1997 | 1 | Rhode Island | |
Ron Harper Jr. (TW) | G-F | 6-6 | 245 | April 12, 2000 | R | Rutgers University | |
Justin Champagnie | SF | 6-6 | 200 | June 29, 2001 | 1 | Pitt | |
D.J. Wilson | PF | 6-10 | 231 | February 19, 1996 | 5 | Michigan | |
Pascal Siakam | PF | 6-9 | 230 | April 2, 1994 | 6 | New Mexico State | |
Otto Porter Jr. | SF | 6-8 | 198 | June 3, 1993 | 9 | Georgetown | |
Gary Trent Jr. | SG | 6-5 | 209 | January 18, 1999 | 4 | Duke | |
Dalano Banton | PG | 6-9 | 204 | November 7, 1999 | 1 | Nebraska | |
Scottie Barnes | SF | 6-9 | 227 | August 1, 2001 | 1 | Florida State | |
Khem Birch | C | 6-9 | 233 | September 28, 1992 | 5 | Pitt, UNLV | |
OG Anunoby | SF | 6-7 | 232 | July 17, 1997 | 5 | Indiana | |
Malachi Flynn | PG | 6-1 | 175 | May 10, 1998 | 2 | Washington State, San Diego State | |
Precious Achiuwa | PF | 6-8 | 225 | September 19, 1999 | 2 | Memphis | |
Fred VanVleet | PG | 6-1 | 197 | February 25, 1994 | 6 | Wichita State |
Wilson might face long odds when it comes to making the final roster, as he would be the fourth-choice center in the rotation should he make it. That doesn’t mean that he should be excommunicated from the race just yet, as he’s proven to be an NBA-level player.
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Wilson wouldn’t have continued to earn new contracts with Toronto if the front office was not 100% sold on his ability to contribute to a winning team in the proper role. He’ll have to beat out some established Raptors to make the final roster, but last year suggests he’ll be able to stick.
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Wilson was an energetic defender that managed to give the Raptors some extra spice on the inside. A rock-solid finisher and dunker that can pile up some easy points inside, Wilson has the athleticism needed to play the high-octane style of ball Nick Nurse wants to run. Stylistically, he’s a better fit than Birch. Wilson is not going to add any excess value to Toronto as a shooter, making it thought for him to beat out Koloko and Birch for rotation time. While he had some nice moments thanks to the COVID-19 absences that granted him playing time, Toronto is right to worry about that being a two-game outlier rather than a positive trend. Wilson needs to be reevaluated after a few preseason games before the Raptors make any grand declarations.
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