Kofi Inkoom
The Toronto Raptors have inked a deal with free agent swingman Justise Winslow, as reported by Josh Lewenberg of TNS Sports.
To make space for Winslow, they decided to release Makur Maker, who had been a training camp invitee, with the intention of him joining the Raptors 905, Toronto’s G League affiliate.
Winslow, originally chosen as the 10th overall pick in the 2015 draft, has journeyed through the Grizzlies, Clippers, and Trail Blazers after spending his first five NBA years in Miami.
In the 2021/22 season, he showcased his skills towards the end after being part of the Norman Powell/Robert Covington trade to Portland.
Unfortunately, his ’22/23 season was abruptly halted due to an ankle injury that required surgery in March. Prior to the surgery, the 27-year-old was averaging 6.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists across 19 games, with an average of 26.8 minutes per game.
While the specific contract terms for Winslow remain undisclosed, it’s worth noting that it’s unusual for a player to join a regular season roster when signed this late in the preseason, particularly for a team like Toronto, which already has 15 players on guaranteed contracts. Jeff Dowtin is also in the mix, vying for a spot on the 15-man squad.
If Winslow received a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contract, there’s a chance for him to earn a bonus of up to $75K if he gets waived by Toronto and then spends a minimum of 60 days with the Raptors 905 in the G League. As mentioned earlier, this is the intended path for Maker.