The Toronto Raptors are continuing to build out their roster after making the playoffs and trading for Kawhi Leonard. They agreed to a one-year, $3.9 million contract with veteran forward Kyle Anderson.
How We Got Here:
The Raptors are coming off a good season in which they went 46-36, earning themselves the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. They had some impressive showings from their young players as well. However, their big move came in the form of Kawhi Leonard.
Anderson, on the other hand, is coming off an interesting season that saw him spend time with the Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies, and Minnesota Timberwolves. During his 43 games with those three teams, he averaged 6.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists while shooting 36.4% from three-point range.
His Impact:
Anderson is a capable player who impacts winning on both sides of the ball despite having the nickname “Slo-mo.” He can defend multiple positions while also serving as a secondary playmaker. Additionally, his ability to slow the game down, make the right reads, and keep an offense organized makes him a valuable contributor for this Raptors team.
From the moment he steps onto the court for the Raptors, he will be able to defend wings or smaller big men and serve as a stabilizing presence for second-unit lineups. Additionally, his experience as a 12-year veteran will bring a good locker room presence to a team that is relatively young and lacks real playoff experience.
It is highly doubtful that he will start for the Raptors due to the level of talent that they have on the roster. However, he will be able to step in when there are injuries, become relevant for certain matchup adjustments, and become a reliable player when it matters most.
This is a good move for the Raptors as they are now looking to make a deep playoff run. Anderson can help them do just that by not necessarily filling up the box score but doing all of the little things that contribute to winning.
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