Raptors Make Sneaky Good Signing…

Raptors Make Sneaky Good Signing…

The Toronto Raptors have made a sneaky good signing as Bobby Webster’s been putting together the final pieces to this roster heading into training camp and of course preseason. And one question that a lot of Raptors fans have had is about the center position and who specifically is going to be backing up Yaka Purle to get consistent run at that backup C position. And now there is another player involved thrown out there in the mix for this role and has a lot better chance of actually making the roster than a guy like Colin Castleton did before he ended up getting waved. So we’re going to break down this recent signing, how it impacts all the training camp battles are going to be happening and frankly why this acquisition of Olivier Sar is an one that could actually have an impact and give him a chance at making the final team’s roster. So lots of stuff to break down out here in this video. Before we do, folks, again, you guys have been supporting the channel a ton, even though news has been a little bit more dry as of late. I appreciate all the support we can get now here on the channel. So, if you want to join the community we’re building here and you’re a part of the over 53% of our viewers that haven’t hit the subscribe button just yet, make sure you guys hit that subscribe button because we’re delivering all the latest updates regarding this Toronto Raptor team. But, let’s dive into the news because we have a signing. We have a signing coming out at the center position for the Toronto Raptors. As uh Blake Murphy revealed, the Raptors have signed Olivier Sar to an exhibit 10 contract for SAR per source. So a camp deal and a elevated G-League salary if he ends up getting waved and goes to the 9005. So who the heck is Olivier Sar? Who is he as a basketball player? What are we looking like in terms of, you know, his potential impact out here on this team? Well, he’s a guy that has had some actual NBA stints and specifically during his rookie season showed a lot of potential in terms of what he could actually provide out there on the basketball court. So, in his rookie year, you know, at age 22 years old, uh average and again small sample size in a bad Oklahoma City Thunder team at that time, but 19 minutes per night, uh seven points per per game, 4.2 rebounds, one assists, uh.3 steals, and you see the three-point shooting in 1.3 attempts per night. So again, not a high sample size. You know, 22 games, 1.3 attempts per night, but shot 45% from the three-point stripe. So, you know, again, 22 games, he really proved that he at least is a guy that should be in the conversations as an NBA player. Now, over the past couple seasons, Oklahoma City has very much improved, of course, winning the NBA championship this year. So, there was a lot less opportunities for a guy like Olivia Sar to actually get some run. But, he’s a very interesting archetype basketball player. So, I’ve seen him listed from different heights, different places you look, but uh from the official NBA website, it has him listed at 610 and 240 weight uh 240 lbs. And he’s about 25 years old, born 99. So, a guy that is the also the brother of number two pick Alexar for the Washington Wizards just a couple years ago. So, he’s a player that again, you might look at these stats, oh, he’s regressed. He’s a guy that’s moving in the wrong direction. Well, the real, you know, the real factor to this is OKC was really good. there was a lot of opportunities for him to get to play. Whereas in the G- League, you see his improvement shown a different way, you know, out there for the past few seasons. You know, the 23-24 season, uh, he, you know, get small sample size as well for the squad. But in his final season out there in the G- League, 23-24, so not last season, but averaged 14 point um points per game, 13.3 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per night. So, he can block some shots. He also shot 33% from the three-point line. I get different volumes, different uh sample size and stuff in his career out there in the G- League, end up shooting 40% of the three-point stripes. So, a guy that is a seven-footer that blocks shots that knocks down the three-point uh ball and can legitimately play that center position, you know, on a Raptors team that definitely could be using some more depth in those areas if there are some question marks about how NBA ready or Shamsh is going to be in his second season. I mean during the summer league he definitely looked very very improved from where he was pre-injjury even uh you know over the course of his sta stat status over the G-League last year for the Raptors 905 but Shamsh in the final game especially looked very lost out there in the Raptor summer league against the Sacramento Kings. So Sar is definitely going to be more polished. You know, has NBA experience, has been on a championship winning team, like he is a guy that definitely can come in and have an impact. And you look at the Raptors depth chart right now, and for a team that’s trying to be competitive, trying to be good next season. You see that center depth and of course we have Sandro Maesi, who is a guy that, you know, we’re hopeful can really just be a consistent, you know, backup five for the squad, who’s 611 himself, knocks down the three-point ball. Uh, you had 37% clip last season. three points uh six points, three rebounds per night last year. Yomamu is a guy that also is fairly young as well. He is the I don’t want to say Shuin, but the favorite to be that backup center for this team next year. But of course, you know, you do have Shamsh who’s the wild card. And now Sar who I think in a different system if he really shows out during training camp if he shows uh you know during preseason some opportunities to really be you know an elite two-way center prospect I mean that is a guy that you don’t want to give up on and there are some uh you know for that final roster spots guys on exam 10 deals you know on non-g guaranteed contracts the battle right now is really between those guys at the bottom right AJ Lawson David Roddy as well as Olivier Sar now at this point for that final roster spot then Of course, there is the opportunity that, you know, Bobby Webster looks at this like, hey, none of these guys are super valuable and stuff, but so we’re just going to keep the open roster and keep that extra bit of buffer below the tax bracket. So, you know, who’s going to get that final roster spot because we look at the stats on all these dudes, right? In terms of who they have, AJ Lawson is my favorite to get that position. I know it’s less of a positional fit, positional need, right? We look at the Raptors roster. You have R.J. Barrett, Scotty Barnes, Oiabachi, Grady Dick, Kobe Walter, Jameson Battle, and Elijah Martin now, and Chucky Heppern. All that can play that wing position for this team. So, and then the forward spots like Ingram, CMBB, uh they can play down a peg as well if needed. So, AJ Lawson plays in the most competitive position for this Raptors group right now, of course, but nine points per game, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists. I think a lot of people would argue he was our best player on this Raptor summer league team over the course of the summer. So, a player that 25 years old himself, Canadian, I think he should be the favorite. He has earned an opportunity to, you know, be on this roster and make this team. So, I think AJ Lost should still be the favorite. said a dark horse that not a lot of people are talking about because he didn’t play in the summer league for the Toronto Raptors is David Rody who has had a pretty significant NBA career himself is only 24 years old has had some big moments out there in the past but is a very undersized power forward but stocky plays defense plays that modern Toronto Raptor style that we saw this team really execute out there over the you know course of summer league so you know a guy that will be you know training camp battles and stuff who ever worked at the Hunters whoever’s played the most intense whoever has the most opportunities though that’s probably the guy that Bobby Webster is going to draft just given the trajectory and how this team is looking. But of course, the center position is that position of need. That’s where the realistic possibility of Sar coming in and actually getting this roster spot makes it all the more likely because, you know, a three a three-point shooting center in the modern NBA that block shots that’s athletic, that has size, that has length, that has, you know, the Raptors have had a history of bringing brothers of bigger name stars, whether it’s, you know, Yianis’ brother, Alexando, you know, Michael Porter Junior’s brother, Jonte Porter. Have they all worked out? Definitely not. But Sar, I get Alexar isn’t that elite of a player, but does have some high potential. You know, Olivia Sar is a player that I don’t mind the Raptors taking a flyer on, but of course the very likely uh possibility is this team ended up selecting him, waving him, and then he’s going to be a member of the Raptors 905 and then, you know, basically fill that Colin Castleton spot. The Raptors end up waving Castleton after a really brutal summer league for him. So, you know, Sar is that dude that a lot of Raptors fans are looking at right now and saying, “Hey, that could be that role in the Raptors 905 to fit that position.” But, you press in summer league, I would not be shocked just given the positional need, you know, to actually make this team. So, I think it’s a good signing for the Raptors. Let me know what you guys think about all of this in the comment section down below. You guys best think so far. Subscribe to the channel if you guys haven’t already. Anyways, I’m signing out. Cheers.

The Toronto Raptors have made a sneaky good signing, bringing in Olivier Sarr on an Exhibit 10 contract. Ben Rogers breaks down the signing and how this can impact the team moving forward.

Raptors Digest is a YouTube Channel that covers all the latest news, trades, reports, and rumours regarding the Toronto Raptors. We provide comprehensive coverage on topics such as game highlights, player performances, and in-depth analysis of team strategies. Our channel features discussions on key players like Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Gradey Dick, Jamal Shead, Bruce Brown and Jakob Poeltl, as well as insights from Head Coach Darko Rajaković and General Manager Masai Ujiri. Stay tuned for all the exciting updates and engaging content on everything Raptors!

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