Former Washington Wizards wing Will Barton is finalizing a contract with the Toronto Raptors for the rest of the 2022-23 NBA season. Just after the NBA Trade Deadline, it was announced that the Wizards and Barton were working on a contract buyout. Barton was traded to the Wizards from the Denver Nuggets this past off-season. The wing will be eligible to play in the 2023 NBA Playoffs if the Raptors make them this season. Rumors ahead of the trade deadline assumed the Raptors would begin rebuilding, but after trading for center Jakob Poeltl is became clear that was not the case.
Free agent G/F Will Barton is finalizing a deal with the Toronto Raptors, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 28, 2023
This season with the Washigton Wizards, Will Barton averaged 7.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. He paired those numbers with a field goal percentage of 38.7 percent and a three-point percentage of 38 percent. The Raptors are hoping to make the NBA Playoffs this season, but have some work to do to close the season. They are currently the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference standings with an overall record of 30-32. Toronto is one and a half game away from missing the Playoffs and five games outside the sixth seed. A chance to make the Playoffs in the play-in games seems to be their most likey path this season.
UPDATE: The Raptors waived forward Juancho Hernangomez as well today.
