The Toronto Raptors haven't been mentioned a lot this offseason. Toronto had a solid 2016/2017 season, as they finished third in the Eastern Conference Standings with a 51-31 record. After advancing past the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the playoffs last season, the Raptors were swept in the Eastern Conference Semifinals by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Even though their season wasn't a failure, it became evident that the Raptors are still way behind the best teams in the NBA as the Cavaliers dominated them in the playoffs.
This summer, Toronto's primary task was to keep their last season's roster intact and it seems they've been pretty successful so far.
Even though the Raptors lost one of their best defenders in PJ Tucker, the majority of last season's core is still there. Earlier this week it was also reported that Toronto acquired a good, young player that will definitely help them next season.
McDaniels headed to Canada
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that K.J. McDaniels and the Toronto Raptors have agreed to a partially guaranteed, one-year deal. The financial details of the agreement are still unknown. McDaniels was a second-round pick in 2014 by the Philadelphia 76ers and he played his best basketball during the 2014/2015 campaign with the Sixers. In 52 games with Philadelphia, McDaniels averaged 9.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in 2015.
Last season he played for the Houston Rockets and for the Brooklyn Nets. In 20 games played for the Nets last season, McDaniels averaged 6.3 points and 2.6 rebounds per game on 45 percent shooting.
Free agent guard KJ McDaniels has agreed to a partially guaranteed one-year deal with Toronto, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) 17. kolovoza 2017.
He is a 6-foot-6 shooting guard with great athleticism.
The Raptors will look for him to defend at a high level next season, and also bring intensity and excitement with his athletic plays. The 24-year-old McDaniels has a lot of potential, especially on the defensive end, and the Raptors are hoping he can help them next season with his skill set. He was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2014 when he was playing college basketball for the Clemson Tigers.
The Heat acquire another big man
According to Shams Charania of The Vertical, the Miami Heat and Jordan Mickey have agreed on a deal worth $1.5 million. Mickey will reportedly sign a two-year deal with the Heat, with team option for the second year of the deal. Mickey is a 6-foot-8 power forward, drafted in the second round of the 2015 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. He spent his first two seasons with Boston, and last season he played 25 games for the Celtics and averaged 1.5 points and 1.4 rebounds per game.
Sources: Former Celtics draft pick Jordan Mickey is finalizing a guaranteed $1.5M minimum deal with the Miami Heat, with '18-19 team option.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) 18. kolovoza 2017.
The 23-year-old Mickey will come off the bench for the Heat next season, and likely play behind Hassan Whiteside and James Johnson at the power forward and center position.