The Toronto Raptors are in desperate need of a Toronto D-League affiliate team of their own. They’re development of Bruno Caboclo and Bebe Nogeuria was sub-par in their first year. Who knows how much better Terrence Ross and Jonas Valanciunas would be if they had some D-League playing time earlier in their careers. Despite belief that D-league doesn’t help, the development of players is clear to see with some teams. Essentially, if done right, D-League could be super beneficial to your team. Therefore Masai Ujiri and MLSE are making a D-League team.
Bruno Caboclo which was the 19th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, barely got any playing time for the Raptors, and got even less in the D-League, so he barely got to have some game play, which is not good for a player that is ‘2 years away from being 2 years away’.
According Doug Smith the Raptors Toronto Star correspondent, Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment CEO Tim Lieweke said:
MLSE’s Tim Lieweke says D League team “in Toronto area this coming season”
— Doug Smith: Raptors (@SmithRaps) May 27, 2015
The Raptors will have a top 20-25 NBA Draft pick, which means they got to get their priorities in check. GM Masai Ujiri will have a lot of work to do this off-season. The Raptors are looking to build off a bitter-sweet season, as they broke franchise records but failed to gain any ground in the Playoffs, getting swept by the Wizards in the first round.
