Toronto Raptors Signing 11-Year Veteran Wing

The Toronto Raptors continue to defy the prognosticators, by once again adding to their team down the stretch, rather than subtracting. According to NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Raptors are signing 11-year veteran Will Barton.

ESPN Sources: Free agent G Will Barton is signing with the Toronto Raptors. After completing buyout with Wizards, Barton will join Toronto and be eligible for a playoff roster. He’s played in 29 career postseason games with Nuggets and Blazers.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 28, 2023

The 6'6" Barton was a solid wing option for eight seasons with the Denver Nuggets, averaging 14 points and five rebounds, before coming over to the Washington Wizards this season and languishing out of the rotation. They bought him out last week to allow him to pursue another opportunity.

11-year vet gives the Raptors some more depth on the wing. Waiving Hernangomez opens up a spot for Barton, who is a nice addition coming off the bench. He’s shot 37% on 4.9 3PA over the past 4 seasons with Denver and Washington. https://t.co/hymW3CTD5I
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) February 28, 2023

Barton shot 36% from three-point range for the Nuggets, and even in his reduced role with the Wizards this year, fired away at a 38% clip from distance. That will be a much-needed skill added to the Raptors bench.

Players must be waived before March 1st in order to be eligible for the playoffs for their new team. Barton was on an expiring $14M contract with the Wizards.

In a corresponding move, Toronto has waived forward Juancho Hernangomez. He averaged 14.6 minutes per game this season, but shot a disappointing 25.4% from long distance.

Photo: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports