With VanVleet and Flynn in protocols, Raptors plan to sign Waters

Toronto Raptors guards Fred VanVleet and Malachi Flynn have entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols, the team announced Tuesday.

They join teammates Gary Trent Jr., Pascal Siakam and Dalano Banton in protocols.

In a corresponding move, the Raptors plan to sign G League guard Tremont Waters to a 10-day contract using the hardship exemption, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Waters is averaging 17.2 points and 6.0 assists with the Wisconsin Herd this season. The 2019 second-round pick has played in 37 career NBA games, all with the Boston Celtics.

In an effort to reduce the number of game disruptions caused by COVID-19, the league and NBPA have agreed to a temporary arrangement that allows teams to sign one player for every player that enters protocols and requires teams to sign players as the number of their own players in protocols mounts, without impacting the salary cap or luxury tax.

Waters, 23, is the fourth player signed by the Raptors using the hardship exception, he joins point guard Brandon Goodwin, power forward Juwan Morgan and Canadian Nik Stauskas, who all signed on Monday.

VanVleet, 27, is averaging career-highs in points (20.1), assists (6.7) and minutes (37.9) this season — he leads the Raptors in all three categories.

Flynn, a 2020 first-round pick, is averaging 3.2 points in 8.6 minutes this season.

The Raptors announced on Monday that they had stopped practising as a team, with players working with coaches individually instead.

It’s a precautionary measure that was introduced as Toronto’s game against Orlando on Monday night was postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak on the Magic.

Toronto’s next scheduled game is on Wednesday against the Chicago Bulls.

[relatedlinks]