The Raptors netted three first round picks, Quickley, RJ Barrett, Brown, Ogbaji, and Olynyk from all their transactions. As a result of all the moves, Freeman-Liberty slots third on the Raptors point guard behind Quickley and Brown and as their fifth or sixth guard overall.
Still with the Raptors likely headed for the lottery, Rajakovic added he would like to get Freeman-Liberty some regular minutes at some point. The Raptors are currbently in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, four games out of thenal play-in spot.
Freeman-Liberty replaces D.J.Carton on the roster. Carton’s 10-day contract expired today. Carton saw four minutes in one appearance for the Raptors.
Nets Promote Jalen Wilson To Standard Contract, Signs Jacob Gilyard To Two-Way Deal
The Brooklyn Nets made two roster moves yesterday. The Nets converted 2023 second-round draft pick Jalen Wilson’s two-way deal to a standard pact.
Wilson received a three-year deal though HoopHype’s Michael Scotto reported that next year will only be partially guaranteed and 2025-26 will be a team option. The Nets used a portion of their mid-level exemption to sign Wilson.
Wilson didn’t get much time with the Nets early in the season. But the 23-year-old forward was impressive during his time with the G-League’s Long Island Nets and is now seeing regular rotation minutes.
Wilson has appeared in 10 straight games for the Nets, including one start. Overall, he has produced one double-double and averages 5.0 points and 2.6 rebounds while compiling a shooting slash line of . 468/.433/.905.
The Nets didn’t have to waive anyone to sign Wilson. But the transaction did open up a two-way spots for the Nets, who filled that opening with Jacob Gilyard per Scotto.
Gilyard who was on a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies before being waived on February 24. The 25-year-old averaged 4.7 points and 3.5 assists with a shooting slash line of .417/.425/1.000 in 37 games, including 14 starts. He scored in double-figures six times.
Gilyard is an excellent ball-handler who doesn’t turn the ball over much. Gilyard is not very efficient offensively as he is essentially strictly 3-point shooter and doesn’t get to the free throw line much. He is a solid perimeter defender though he struggles against bigger and quicker players.
Gilyard doesn’t project to get many minutes with the Nets as he is essentially seventh on the guard depth chart. However, Ben Simmons is dealing with a leg injury and Cam Thomas will miss his third straight game on Saturday night with a leg injury.
Lakers Make A Pair of Two-Way Moves
The Los Angeles Lakers have inked veteran big man Harry Giles to a two-way deal. Since the Lakers didn’t have an open roster, they chose to part ways with Dylan Windler, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
Giles made his return to the NBA this season after sitting out two seasons due to knee injuries. The 6-11 big man signed a two-way contract with the Nets this fall and appeared with 16 games before being waived on Feb. 8.
Giles showed some promise in his limited minutes with the Nets averaging 3.6 points on 50% shooting and 1.8 rebounds in 5.1 minutes. He was very efficient around the rim and within 10 feet and within.
Giles has appeared in 158 career games and could see time with the Lakers are a little upfront with injuries to Christian Wood and Colin Castleton. Wood, dealing with efusion in his left knee, has been out since Feb. 15 though he is expected to be revaluated this week. Castleton has appeared in just two games for the Lakers and is slated to miss several weeks due to a fractured wrist. Thus leaving, Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Taurean Prince and Jaxson Hayes to handle the frontcourt minutes.
Windler saw 28 minutes in eight games for the Lakers. He appeared in three games for the New York Knicks before being waived and signing the Lakers on Jan. 6. Like Giles, the athletic 6-6 wing won’t be eligible to sign a two-way contract after this season. So,if Windler doesn’t hook up with a team this season, he may have a hard time getting another NBA job.
Teams Potentially Interested in Shake Milton
Milton is a free agent after he worked out a buyout from the Detroit Pistons last night, per Charania. Charania added that “multiple postseason contenders” are interested in signing Milton once he clears waivers. Since Milton was waived prior to end of Friday he is still eligible to play this postseason.
Milton has come off the bench for most of his career though he has made 45 career starts. The 27-year-old combo guard is an excellent ball-handler and can get to rim though he is just an average distrubutor and 3-point shooter. He also has struggled on the defensive end the past two years.
The Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, Clippers and Sacramento Kings.
Other News
- The San Antonio Spurs made several moves yesterday. The Spurs converted Dominick Barlow’s contract from a two-way deal to a standard one. They also signed Jamaree Bouyea and Rai’Quan Gray to two-way deals. To make room for Gray, the Spurs released Mamadi Diakite.
- The Philadelphia 76ers have released Kenneth Lofton Jr, who was on a two-way contract. With the move, the Sixers will have three open roster spots, including one two-way spot.
- The Minnesota Timberwolves plan to sign T.J. Warren to a 10-day contract pending a physical exam early this week, according to Charania.
Warren has not played this season and only 46 contests since the beginning of the 2019-20 campaign with 42 of those appearances coming a season ago. But Charania said that the Wolves have been monitoring his progress throughout the season.
Warren is a combo forward known for his shooting and scoring prowess. The 30-year-old, whose career has been derailed by injuries, averages 14.6 points and four rebounds while posting a shooting slash line of .506/.354/.780.
Minnesota has one open spot and could have another once Justin Jackson’s 10-day deal expires tomorrow. Jackson has seen one minute on the court in two appearances for the Wolves since inking his deal. So, presumably the Wolves will waive Jackson and fill that spot with Warren.
- The Charlotte Hornets have signed Marques Bolden to a two-way contract. Bolden has appeared in three NBA games this year, one for the Hornets when on a 10-day contract, and 10 over his career. To make room for the 25-year-old, the Hornets waived Nathan Mensah.
Mensah, who went undrafted out of San Diego State in June, signed a two-way contract with the Hornets on Dec. 14. He appeared in 21 contests for the Hornets, averaging 1.3 points and 2.4 boards over 12.3 minutes of action.
- Mike Muscala officially signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder.