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Toronto Raptors: 2016 Offseason Grades

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 1, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) and guard DeMar DeRozan (10) look on during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Toronto beat Memphis 99-95. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) and guard DeMar DeRozan (10) look on during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Toronto beat Memphis 99-95. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Raptors
Mar 17, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; Wichita State Shockers guard Fred VanVleet (23) looks on against the Arizona Wildcats during the first half of a first round game of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

Feeling Out VanVleet

As a four-year guard from Wichita State, Fred VanVleet was one of the biggest reasons the Shockers were so fun to watch year in and year out. Thanks to his performance for the Raptors at Summer League, he’ll get his chance to prove himself at the NBA level.

In his senior season at Wichita St., VanVleet averaged 12.2 points, 5.5 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game, shooting 38.1 percent from three-point range despite his paltry 39 percent shooting overall.

At Summer League, VanVleet only posted 6.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game, but he performed well with the long ball, knocking down six of his 11 three-point attempts through five games.

The perimeter shooting and careful ball handling (only three turnovers in five games) was enough to earn him a three-year, non-guaranteed contract.

This doesn’t move the needle much for a team that’s already got two quality guard backups in Cory Joseph and the promising Norman Powell, but you never know. VanVleet could come in handy in a pinch, and a non-guaranteed deal makes this a no-risk proposition.

The Raptors also signed another undrafted player, Iowa’s Jarrod Uthoff, on a partially guaranteed two-year deal to add another body for training camp to vie for that 15th roster spot.

Uthoff averaged 18.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game on 44.8 percent shooting in his final season with the Hawkeyes.

Finally, Toronto agreed to sign E.J. Singler, a 6’7″ small forward from Oregon who went undrafted back in 2013. Singer has spent the last few years traipsing around the D-League and will compete for the Raptors’ 15th roster spot. If he doesn’t make it, he will most likely return to Toronto’s D-League affiliate, the Raptors 905.

Grade: C

Next: Overall

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