Raptors give AJ Lawson a standard NBA contract

The Toronto Raptors recently converted guard AJ Lawson’s deal to a standard NBA contract.

Lawson, 6-foot-6, 185 pounds, is averaging 8.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 18.6 minutes in 25 games (two starts) with the Raptors this season. He has scored in double figures 10 times, including a career-high 32 points in a victory Mar. 10 vs. Washington. Lawson became just the fourth Canadian to score 30 points in a Raptors uniform, joining teammates RJ Barrett and Chris Boucher, and Cory Joseph. Lawson originally signed a two-way contract with Toronto on Dec. 11. He has also appeared in 37 NBA G League games with Raptors 905 and Long Island, averaging 20.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 33.1 minutes.

A native of Brampton, Ontario, Lawson holds career averages of 5.0 points, 1.9 rebounds and 10.8 minutes in 82 NBA games (two starts) with Dallas, Minnesota and Toronto. After going undrafted, Lawson spent the 2021-22 campaign with College Park in the NBA G League and played with the Guelph Nighthawks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League before signing a two-way contract with the Timberwolves in the summer of 2022. He played three collegiate seasons (2018-21) at South Carolina where he was named Second Team All-SEC as a junior.

Raptors sign Colin Castleton

The Toronto Raptors yesterday signed center Colin Castleton.

Castleton, 6-foot-11, 250 pounds, is averaging 4.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 16.1 minutes in 25 games (four starts) with Memphis, Philadelphia and Toronto this season. He has scored in double figures three times and grabbed 10 or more rebounds in three games. Castleton had a career-high 16 points Apr. 11 vs. Atlanta and collected a career-best 14 rebounds in his first career start Mar. 12 against the Sixers and Apr. 9 at Washington. Castleton was waived by the Grizzlies in January after signing a two-way contract prior to the 2024-25 season. He signed consecutive 10-day contracts with the Raptors in March before most recently signing a 10-day contract with Philadelphia.

A native of DeLand, Florida, Castleton is averaging 3.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 11.3 minutes in 41 career NBA games with the LA Lakers, Memphis, Philadelphia and Toronto. Castleton signed a two-way contract with Los Angeles following two seasons (2018-20) at Michigan and three at Florida (2020-23) where he earned All-SEC First Team and Defensive Team honours as a fifth-year senior.

Raptors sign Cole Swider

The Toronto Raptors have signed forward Cole Swider.

Swider, 6-foot-8, 220 pounds, is averaging 6.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 17.8 minutes in six games with the Raptors after signing a 10-Day contract on Mar. 26. He also averaged 21.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 34.6 minutes in 31 Tip-Off Tournament and regular season games with Motor City and South Bay in the NBA G League this season.

A native of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, Swider holds career averages of 2.7 points, 0.9 rebounds and 7.5 minutes in 33 NBA games with the LA Lakers, Miami, Detroit and Toronto.

Raptors sign Colin Castleton to second 10-day contract

The Toronto Raptors have signed center Colin Castleton to a second 10-day contract.

Castleton, 6-foot-11, 250 pounds, appeared in five games (two starts) with the Raptors during his first 10-day contract with the Raptors (Mar. 6-15), averaging 7.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.0 blocks and 27.8 minutes. He scored career-high 13 points Mar. 14 at Utah and in his first career start, Castleton recorded a career-best 14 rebounds along with seven points and three blocks in 40 minutes Mar. 12 against Philadelphia. In 15 games with Toronto and Memphis this season, Castleton has posted averages of 3.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 12.4 minutes. He was waived by the Grizzlies on Jan. 10 after signing a two-way contract prior to the 2024-25 season.

A native of DeLand, Florida, Castleton holds career averages of 2.4 points, 2.1 rebounds and 7.9 minutes in 31 games with the LA Lakers, Memphis and Toronto. Prior to the NBA, Castleton played two seasons (2018-20) at Michigan before transferring to Florida (2020-23) where he earned All-SEC First Team and Defensive Team honours as a fifth-year senior.

Raptors convert Orlando Robinson contract, sign Jared Rhoden

The Toronto Raptors recently converted center Orlando Robinson’s deal to a standard NBA contract.

In a corresponding move, the Raptors have signed guard Jared Rhoden to a two-way contract.

Robinson, 6-foot-10, 235 pounds, is averaging 4.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 12.5 minutes in 26 games with the Raptors and the Sacramento Kings this season. He signed a two-way contract with Toronto on Feb. 7 following two 10-day contracts earlier this year. A native of Las Vegas, Nevada, Robinson owns career averages of 3.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 11.3 minutes in 93 games (10 starts) with Miami, Sacramento and Toronto. He signed with the Heat as an undrafted free agent in July 2022 following three seasons at Fresno State (2019-22).

Rhoden, 6-foot-5, 210 pounds, has appeared in five games with Toronto and Charlotte this season. He previously signed a 10-day contract with the Raptors on Feb. 19. Rhoden has also played in 24 Tip-Off Tournament and regular season games with Greensboro and Raptors 905 in the NBA G League, averaging 17.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 30.3 minutes. He is shooting .494 (165-334) from the field and .366 (45-123) from three-point range. Rhoden has scored in double figures in 21 games and 20+ points 11 times.

A native of Baldwin, New York, Rhoden holds career averages of 3.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 12.7 minutes in 36 contests with Detroit, Charlotte and Toronto. Prior to the NBA, Rhoden played four collegiate seasons (2018-22) at Seton Hall and was named to the All-Big East First Team as a senior.

The Raptors roster currently stands at 17 players.

Raptors sign guard Jared Rhoden to 10-day contract

The Toronto Raptors have signed guard Jared Rhoden to a 10-day contract.

Rhoden, 6-foot-5, 210 pounds, appeared in four games with Charlotte this season. He has also played in 20 Tip-Off Tournament and regular season games with Greensboro and Raptors 905 in the NBA G League, averaging 16.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 29.5 minutes. He is shooting .504 (133-264) from the field and .396 (40-101) from three-point range. Rhoden has scored in double figures in 17 games and 20+ points eight times, including a season-high 32 points Nov. 15 vs. Delaware.

A native of Baldwin, New York, Rhoden holds career averages of 3.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 13.0 minutes in 35 contests with Detroit and Charlotte. He signed a two-way contract with the Pistons in December 2022. Prior to the NBA, Rhoden played four collegiate seasons (2018-22) at Seton Hall where he was named to the All-Big East First Team as a senior.

This is Rhoden’s second stint with the Raptors after signing with Toronto in the summer. He was waived prior to the start of the 2024-25 regular season.

Raptors center Ulrich Chomche suffers season-ending knee injury

Toronto Raptors two-way center Ulrich Chomche sustained a partial proximal MCL tear in his right knee.

The injury occurred late in the third quarter of Thursday’s Raptors 905 game against the Cleveland Charge.

Chomche will miss the remainder of the season, and his rehabilitation will focus on preparing for NBA Summer League.

Chomche appeared in seven games with the Raptors this season. He also played in 33 Tip-Off Tournament and regular season games with Raptors 905, averaging 7.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and 23.8 minutes. He shot .544 (105-193) from the field, scored in double figures 10 times and grabbed 10 or more rebounds in six contests.

The Raptors acquired Chomche’s draft rights from Minnesota for cash considerations after he was picked 57th overall by the Timberwolves in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Raptors give Jamison Battle a standard contract

The Toronto Raptors announced Friday they have converted forward Jamison Battle’s deal to a standard NBA contract.

In a corresponding move, the Raptors have signed center Orlando Robinson to a two-way contract.

Battle, 6-foot-6, 228 pounds, has appeared in 35 games in his rookie season with the Raptors averaging 5.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and 12.6 minutes. He is shooting .458 (66-144) from the field, including .417 (45-108) from three-point range.

In 15 Tip-Off Tournament and regular season games (all starts) with Raptors 905, the NBA G League affiliate of the Toronto Raptors, Battle averaged 12.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 29.0 minutes. He scored 10+ points 11 times and 20-or-more twice while shooting .496 (68-137) from the field and .460 (40-87) from beyond the arc.

A native of Robbinsdale, Minnesota, Battle signed as an undrafted free agent last July and was converted to a two-way contract in October. Prior to the NBA, he averaged 15.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 31.4 minutes in 35 games (all starts) as a fifth-year senior at Ohio State last season. He shot .469 (179-382) from the field and a career-best .433 (91-210) from beyond the arc, which ranked second in the Big Ten and ninth nationally.

Pelicans trade Brandon Ingram to Raptors

The Toronto Raptors announced yesterday they have acquired forward Brandon Ingram from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for guard-forward Bruce Brown, centre Kelly Olynyk, a 2026 first-round draft pick (via Indiana) and a 2031 second-round draft pick.

“We see Brandon as an integral part of this team’s future – he’s an elite scorer, he has a really diverse offensive skillset, and adding him to the young core we have is huge as we continue our quest to win in Toronto,” Raptors Vice-Chairman and President Masai Ujiri said. “At the same time we welcome Brandon, we need to really thank Bruce and Kelly. They have been professionals and leaders and they’ve been great teammates and examples for all of us. We wish them all the best moving forward.”

Ingram, 6-foot-8, 212 pounds, joins the Raptors following six seasons in New Orleans where he averaged 23.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists and shot .472 (2532-5365) from the field, including .372 (560-1506) from three-point range. He averaged more than 20.0 points in all six seasons and was named an NBA All-Star in 2020. Ingram also captured the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award that same season.

A native on Kinston, North Carolina, Ingram owns career averages of 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 495 games with the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans. He was picked second overall by the Lakers in the 2016 NBA Draft following one season at Duke where he was the ACC Freshman of the Year.

Brown was acquired from Indiana in January 2024 and averaged 9.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 23.8 minutes in 52 games with Toronto.

Olynyk averaged 10.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 21.6 minutes in 52 contests with the Raptors after being acquired from Utah in February 2024.