Raptors 905 primer: Storylines and explainer for the G League season

In the past, success at the G League level has been a precursor to further triumph in the Toronto Raptors organization.

Raptors 905 won a G League title in 2017, propelled in part by Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet, who would go on to be integral parts of Toronto's 2019 NBA championship team and become all-stars.

Siakam and VanVleet represent outlier development stories that are difficult to replicate. But a steady stream of talent flowing upwards through a team's system — that can contribute as role players while on cheap contracts even if they don't end up as stars — is still immensely valuable.

We saw the repercussions when Raptors draft picks and former 905ers like Malachi Flynn, Dalano Banton and Christian Koloko fell flat in recent seasons, and the team's pipeline of serviceable prospects dried up.

Now, the Raptors have reacquired Kawhi Leonard and appear to be trying to contend once again. Meanwhile, their affiliate is also fresh off a prosperous season in which it set a record with its 16-0 start to the Tip-Off Tournament and made the G League playoffs for the first time in four years.

Former two-way player Alijah Martin led that powerhouse 905 squad and earned an All-NBA G League third-team selection in the process. The sophomore second-round pick inked a two-year standard NBA deal with the Raptors in the off-season and is now contributing spot minutes with the big club more consistently.

Let's look at which G Leaguers are next in line to contribute to the Raptors and touch on additional storylines ahead of the 905 season tipping off Friday.

Understanding the assignment-eligible players

Any player with less than three years of NBA experience can be assigned to the G League, even if they're not on a two-way contract. More tenured players can, too, with approval from themselves and the players' association.

This gives the youthful Raptors an excess of assignment-eligible players, but only a few are true candidates for a G League stint. Half the roster (seven players) meet the criteria. But Collin Murray-Boyles, Ja'Kobe Walter and Jamal Shead didn't see any 905 time last season, and won't now either. Jamison Battle suited up for one G League contest last year but is now firmly in the Raptors rotation after playing in each of their first eight games, averaging 16.5 minutes.

Out of the three remaining, it stands to reason that rookie guard Jaden Bradley could get the most reps in Mississauga, Ont. Selected in the second round, 50th overall, by the Raptors in the 2026 draft, the 23-year-old has had an up-and-down start through Summer League and the pre-season. He could use the additional runway to develop his offensive game, floor-processing ability and further adjust to the Raptors' system on both ends.

First-round pick (19th overall) Allen Graves and Martin could reasonably see time, too. For Graves, it might take an extended rookie slump à la Gradey Dick's 2023-24 "conditioning stint" to oust him from the NBA rotation. Martin could get reps to stay ready if he goes through an extended stretch without NBA minutes. However, the Raptors also roster just 14 players right now. This makes it harder for them to part with end-of-bench depth.

The 905 have 12 home games that don't overlap with the Raptors — although two are during the NBA Cup knockout round — and there are a couple more opportunities for double duty on the same day, which they've often done before. It makes sense for players like Bradley, who has averaged four minutes over six games, exclusively in garbage time, to take advantage of these opportunities.

No two-ways about it

In addition to having one standard NBA roster spot open, the Raptors were also the last remaining team with an open two-way spot until Thursday, when they signed a player from the New York Knicks' 2026 championship team: Kevin McCullar Jr.

Malachi Smith and Nate Bittle occupy the other two slots, earning $678,882 and allowing them to move freely between the G League and NBA for a combined total of 90 games. This is because the Raptors have only 14 NBA players. With a full 15-man roster, each two-way player can be active for up to 50 games.

Bittle signed an Exhibit 10 contract in the off-season — essentially a camp invite that provides additional financial incentive if a player is waived and joins the team's G League affiliate — and drummed up plenty of excitement at Summer League.

The seven-foot centre shot 44 per cent from three-point range and blocked 2.75 shots per game, albeit over a tiny four-game sample. But his rare combination of floor spacing and rim protection makes him an enticing option. More, he appears to have many of the big-man skills like rebounding, screening and efficient rim finishing that this archetype of player often lacks.

It's worth mentioning that Bittle made above-average passing reads for a centre, too. This makes him a good fit for a Raptors organization that likes its big men to run delay action — handle the ball with all five players outside the three-point arc and make decisions.

Bittle made enough of an impression that he stuck with the Raptors through training camp and the pre-season and was signed to the two-way deal despite being sidelined the entire time with a right foot avulsion. He is expected to return by mid-November.

Meanwhile, Smith grinded through three G League seasons before getting his first NBA cup of coffee with the tanking Brooklyn Nets last season, averaging 8.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists over 15 games. The 26-year-old guard has shown a propensity for getting buckets, both with the Nets and in his team-high 24-point performance in the Raptors' final pre-season game.

Intriguing affiliates and continuity

The 905 also has several intriguing affiliate players who were two-way candidates, and five returning players.

The most notable of the group, both based on his resume and stature, is seven-foot-five reigning G League Defensive Player of the Year Jamarion Sharp. While very limited outside of being a rim-protecting drop big who can get some easy dunks, it's hard to ignore four blocks per game from the tallest player in the league.

Sharp was with the Raptors in Summer League, signed a two-way contract and was subsequently released by the Clippers, before rejoining the Raptors during the pre-season and his G League rights were eventually acquired in a trade with the Texas Legends for a swap of 2026 first-round picks and a pair of 2027 seconds.

Of the returning players, Tyreke Key and Tyson Degenhart stand out for their efficiency. Key shot 40 per cent from three last season, and Degenhart had a 66.4 true shooting percentage.

People within the Raptors organization have spoken about Degenhart and Key as good finds, and they are clearly valued after being brought back for a second and third season, respectively. Having players who are familiar with the schemes the organization runs on both sides of the floor is also helpful. The 905's five returnees (also Chucky Hepburn, AJ Hoggard and Caleb Stone-Carrawell) marks a tie for a club record set in its second season (2016-17).

All nine affiliates and returnees (also including Trey Jemison III, Nimari Burnett and Andre Jackson Jr.), can all receive an additional $91,000 on top of their $46,350 G League salary. But these players can also be plucked by other NBA franchises as free agents at any time. The 905 had plenty of examples last year with Julian Reese, David Roddy and Olivier Sarr all signing two-way contracts elsewhere mid-season. This is both a credit to the organization's development system and a team-building complication for the 905.

One area where 905 won't have continuity is with its leadership group, as Noah Lewis replaced Drew Jones as head coach and former assistant Scott Brown Jr. took over the general manager role from Luke Winn. Winn remains in the Raptors organization as director of prospect strategy.

CanCon quota

It's no surprise that Canadians Jalen Celestine and Brandon Muntu were at training camp and that Calgary native Olumide Adelodun made the final roster — the lone tryout player to do so.

"Representation is really important," Brown Jr. said during a sit-down with Blake Murphy on The Raptors Show Tuesday. "I think especially being the only Canadian team in the G League. There's a lot of unheard talent that we have within the country. I've had the privilege to see that in my four years here. I think for me, being able to give an opportunity to Canadian players that maybe haven't gotten the most attention, that we know are capable of playing in this league, is definitely something we put a real emphasis on paying attention to."

The 905 has had a consistent Canadian presence in recent seasons with players like AJ Lawson, Quincy Guerrier, Eugene Omoruyi, Tyrese Samuel and Jaden Bediako. Adelodun will now carry that torch.

The 23-year-old averaged 8.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 0.7 steals over 45 games spread across two seasons with the CEBL's Calgary Surge.

For anyone wondering what happened to Lawson, he's no longer eligible for a two-way contract after exceeding four years of NBA service time. The 26-year-old Toronto-born wing signed with Saski Baskonia of the Spanish Liga ACB in the off-season and is now playing in Europe.

Schedule

The 905 starts the G League's 14-game Tip-Off Tournament schedule on Friday in College Park against the Skyhawks. The home opener is Nov. 11 against the Greensboro Swarm. That culminates in the NBA G League Winter Showcase tournament from Dec. 19-22, and the 905 starts its 36-game regular season on Dec. 27, hosting the Cleveland Charge.