The fight for jobs: Six contenders, three spots

YUTA WATANABE

Forward, 26, six-foot-nine

Experience: Played in 50 games, starting four, with the Raptors last season. Spent parts of two seasons with Memphis, as well. How he makes it: Work ethic is off the charts and it endeared him to the Raptors last season. The native of Japan has to show better ball-handling and shooting skills but that was a focal point in his off-season workouts. Can defend multiple positions and that seems to be the way the Raptors are hoping to play.

What’s his fate? Even if there are only two spots, Watanabe would seem to have a leg up on getting one of them.

FREDDIE GILLESPIE

Forward, 24, six-foot-nine

Experience: Added to the Raptors roster late last season, appeared in 20 games with two starts for Toronto.

How he makes it: He’s going to have to show more in training camp and exhibition games than he did in the Summer League, where he struggled. Needs to be more effective finishing around the rim and has next to zero shooting range that needs to be extended. Still, energy on defence and rim protection are on his side.

What’s his fate? It’s hard to see him sticking now that the Raptors have signed Khem Birch long term and have added Precious Achiuwa as another big man.

ISAAC BONGA

Forward, 21, six-foot-eight

Experience: Has played in 128 NBA regular season games over three seasons: two with the Wizards, one with the Lakers.

How he makes it: There’s a seven-foot wingspan attached to that 6-8 body, a plus for a team with a whole lot of long, athletic wings. Hasn’t shown much shooting ability and that’s a liability but not a fatal one.

What’s his fate? It could very well come down to what the Raptors think they can turn Bonga into over the next two or three years; he’s not going to have a lot of time with this year’s team.

SAM DEKKER

Forward, 27, six-foot-nine

Experience: A former first round pick — No. 18 overall by Houston in 2015 — he’s been in 200 NBA games and has also played in Europe.

How he makes it: The Raptors don’t seem to have a lot of shooting that’s one thing Dekker might be able to bring to the table. He shot 45 per cent from three in Turkey last year season. Defence is not his strongest suit but floor stretching is something Toronto needs.

What’s his fate? The Raptors giving Svi Mykhailiuk a guaranteed deal didn’t do Dekker any favours in pursuit of a roster spot but if he shoots it well in the pre-season, he could get the last spot.

ISH WAINRIGHT

Forward, 27, six-foot-six

Experience: None in the NBA and that’s an issue, but has spent three seasons in Europe.

How he makes it: There’s no way he grows two or three inches before camp so that’s going to be a problem, but he’s a tough-minded defender who should rebound effectively — with bulk that’s something Toronto doesn’t have an abundance of.

What’s his fate? Wainright’s a nice story — undrafted, former Buffalo Bills draft pick, good guy by all accounts — but it’s more likely he’s in Mississauga with the G League 905s than in Toronto with the Raptors.

REGGIE PERRY

Forward, 21, six-foot-eight

Experience: Played in 26 games with Brooklyn last season on a two-way contract; former second round pick (57th overall) by the Clippers in 2020.

How he makes it: Much more of a long-term play for the Raptors, the Nets liked Perry’s toughness and the chance he has to develop into an NBA-calibre power forward. If he bangs around a lot in camp and preseason games, that would seem to be his ticket to a regular NBA job.

What’s his fate? The last roster spot might be his but his deal is structured mainly so he can go to the G League and be called up if the need arises.

Doug Smith