Raptors make surprising cuts as roster finalization nears
The Toronto Raptors are making significant moves ahead of the regular season, parting ways with five players, including a recent draft pick. As the countdown to the season opener ticks away, fans were taken aback when the team announced the waiving of AJ Lawson, David Roddy, Jared Rhoden, Olivier Sarr, and the young prospect Ulrich Chomche.
Roster adjustments ahead of the season
With the start of the NBA season looming, the Raptors are tightening their roster. According to insider Michael Scotto, the team has requested waivers for the five players, marking a notable shift as they finalize their lineup. Among these cuts, the release of Chomche, a second-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, stands out as a particularly surprising decision.
Player breakdown of the cuts
AJ Lawson
A Toronto native, Lawson had a chance to don the jersey of his hometown team last season, averaging 9.1 points over 26 appearances. At 25 years old, he was on a two-year, non-guaranteed contract. There remains a possibility that the Raptors could reassign him to their vacant two-way slot, a role he occupied the previous season.
David Roddy
Selected 23rd overall in the 2022 NBA Draft from Colorado State, Roddy, 24, struggled to find his footing with the Memphis Grizzlies. After a tumultuous stint that saw him shift teams mid-season, he now faces an uncertain future. While he could fit the two-way vacancy, the Raptors may prefer a younger player with more development potential.
Jared Rhoden
Rhoden, 26, made a brief impact with the Raptors last season, appearing in 10 games and averaging 11.4 points. Despite showing promise, the Raptors seem misaligned with his current timeline, prompting the decision to let him go.
Olivier Sarr
Sarr, also 26, is known for being the brother of Alex Sarr, last year’s No. 2 overall pick by the Washington Wizards. With 46 appearances over three seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder, he made headlines with a game-winning shot during preseason. Nevertheless, the Raptors opted to move forward without him.
Ulrich Chomche
At just 19 years old, Chomche was the 57th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Despite the intrigue surrounding his raw abilities, the Raptors decided to pursue other options for their two-way contract, shifting their focus away from the young talent.
Looking ahead
Following these roster adjustments, the Raptors now stand at 14 players with two open two-way slots. This flexibility could prove advantageous as they prepare for their final preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets. The regular season kicks off on Wednesday with a road matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting campaign ahead.