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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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Photos by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images
Photos by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images /

Kyle Wiltjer, Forward

Kyle Wiltjer has had a whirlwind offseason. First, he was included in the deal that sent Chris Paul to the Rockets. The Clippers waived him less than three weeks later, however, and Wiltjer was without a team for a month before agreeing to sign with the Raptors.

Wiltjer has one surefire NBA skill – he can shoot the skin off the ball – and sometimes that’s enough to earn a contract. It was good enough last season, as Wiltjer appeared in 14 games for the Rockets, ultimately earning a spot on Houston’s playoff roster.

After spending two years at Kentucky, Wiltjer finished his college career at Gonzaga, where he shot 44.9 percent from deep over the course of two seasons. Last year, he attempted an absurd 9.8 threes per game for the Rio Grande Vipers of the G-League. Somehow, in spite of the unbelievable volume, he maintained 37.7 percent efficiency from beyond the arc. The dude is an assassin.

The rest of Wiltjer’s game needs to come along. He posted mediocre rebounding stats in college and at the G League level, and while he has decent potential as a passer, he’s far from being a trusted playmaker on an NBA second unit.

As far as defense, here’s what Jacob Eisenberg wrote for DraftExpress ahead of the 2016 NBA Draft: “Defensively, Wiltjer’s physical profile raises all sorts of red flags. His lateral quickness is nonexistent, and while he’s worked diligently to improve his core strength and balance, it’s still a noticeable liability in his game, as he often looks like he’s playing on stilts.”

But shooting, especially at the elite rates with which Wiltjer has flirted, is always a hot commodity. That’s especially true for the Raptors, who lack a true stretch forward aside from Ibaka. If he can hang on defense, Wiltjer will open up acres of space for his teammates as a pick-and-pop or spot-up threat.

Expect Toronto to keep Wiltjer because of his clear niche. But also expect to see Wiltjer biding his time on the bench unless he makes massive improvements to his all-around game.

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