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Toronto Raptors: Meet the 4 players fighting for a roster spot

By Nate Wolf

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 8: Kennedy Meeks #1 of the Toronto Raptors shoots a lay up during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League on July 8, 2017 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 8: Kennedy Meeks #1 of the Toronto Raptors shoots a lay up during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League on July 8, 2017 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images /

Kennedy Meeks, Center

Chances are you’ve seen Kennedy Meeks play. He’s a burly 6’9” big man who spent four years at UNC snatching rebounds, scoring in the post and winning an NCAA championship.

Meeks went undrafted this June, but the Raptors swiftly signed him to an Exhibit 10 contract. I’ll let Raptors expert Blake Murphy go over the details on that one:

"“It’s a deal the Raptors can convert to an NBA contract or one of the league’s new two-way contracts but in all likelihood will see Meeks come to training camp with the team then become a G-League affiliate player, earning a $50,000 bonus as a supplement to his G-League salary if he sticks around a certain amount of time.”"

In other words, Meeks won’t get “cut” in the traditional sense, but he likely won’t make the Raptors’ NBA roster. That said, the revamped G League should be an excellent place for Meeks to develop. In Toronto, he’d find himself behind Jonas Valanciunas, Jakob Poeltl and Lucas Nogueira at center, not to mention Ibaka, who should probably spend more time at the 5.

https://twitter.com/Asapmeeks03/status/878252695441645570

With the Raptors 905, however, Meeks has the chance to establish himself as a force. He turned in strong NBA Summer League performances, averaging 11.25 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in just 15.5 minutes of work. He also showed a burgeoning outside game, attempting 10 threes after taking just two in his career at UNC.

Meeks could surprise people and take a roster spot, but in all likelihood, he’ll continue to develop under Jerry Stackhouse in the G League. For now, that’s probably Meeks’ best avenue to the NBA.

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