Toronto Raptors: 25 Best Players To Play For The Raptors
The Toronto Raptors joined the NBA in 1995 as part of the league’s half-successful Canadian invasion. Who are the 25 best players ever for the Raptors?
May 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A general view of the Air Canada Centre with t-shirts laid out on seats in a Canadian flag pattern prior to Toronto Raptors hosting Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
The Toronto Raptors are one of the newest teams in the NBA, part of the Association’s half-successful Canadian migration of 1995.
A group headed by Toronto businessman John Bitove paid a $125 million expansion fee when they were awarded a franchise in November 1993 that would start play for the 1995-96 season, along with a new club in Vancouver.
It was Toronto’s first NBA franchise, but the city had a charter entry in its forerunner, the Basketball Association of America.
The Toronto Huskies played in the BAA’s inaugural season in 1946-47, used four coaches, finished tied for last in the Eastern Division at 22-38 and disappeared to the dustbin of history after the single campaign.
While initial sentiment favored bringing back the Huskies moniker, it soon became apparent that designing a logo that wouldn’t closely resemble that of the still-relatively new Minnesota Timberwolves would be almost impossible.
The Raptors choice was announced in May 1994 in one of the ultimate examples of being caught in a pop-culture moment—the film Jurassic Park had been a box office smash the previous year.
In November 1996, Bitove sold controlling interest in the team to Allan Sleight.
Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd., which also owns the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs, purchased the team in February 1998 and remains in control of the franchise.
The franchise has had seven general managers/personnel decision-makers, with Bryan Colangelo the longest-tenured of the group from February 2006 through May 2013. Glen Grunwald held the post from November 1997 through April 2004.
Current general manager Masai Ujiri assumed his post in May 2013.
Colangelo is the only executive in Raptors history to win the NBA Executive of the Year award, capturing the honor in 2006-07.
The club has had eight coaches in its 21 seasons, with current coach Dwane Casey the winningest of the bunch at 210-185 in the regular season and 13-18 in the playoffs.
Sam Mitchell is the lone NBA Coach of the Year winner, named in 2006-07.
The Raptors are 734-940 in their history, a winning percentage of .438 that ranks 26th among the 30 active franchises.
Toronto has been to the playoffs only eight times in 21 seasons, but is in the midst of the most successful stretch in franchise history.
The Raptors set a franchise record for victories in 2015-16–the third straight season they’ve done so. They were 56-26 for the team’s first 50-win season ever and advanced to the conference finals for the first time, posting their first two best-of-7 series victories in the process.
Previously, they had one first-round series–a best-of-5–in 2001.
Toronto’s low-water mark came when it was 16-66 in 1997-98, one of three 60-loss seasons for the franchise. The Raptors were 21-61 in their expansion season of 1995-96 and went 22-60 in 2010-11.
They have won the NBA Draft Lottery once, in 2006, selecting Italian big man Andrea Bargnani.
The Raptors picked second in 1996 and have had the fourth and fifth picks twice each.
Here are the 25 best players in the history of the Toronto Raptors. Players had to have appeared in 150 games and averaged a minimum of 20 minutes per game for the team to qualify for this list.
Full disclosure: Only 27 players met the 150-game/20-mpg standard.
28 Feb 1997: Center Oliver Miller of the Toronto Raptors tries to fend off forward Lorenzen Wright of the Los Angeles Clippers at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California. The Clippers won the game 94-92. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport
Oliver Miller
C-PF, 1995-96, 1997-98
With their final pick in the expansion draft in June 1995, the Toronto Raptors took a shot on Detroit Pistons big man Oliver Miller.
He came in and was a starter at power forward for the first-year Raptors before the team renounced his rights in July 1996.
Miller came back to Toronto as a free agent in February 1997 and re-signed with them in November of the same year.
After the lockout ended in 1999, Miller signed as a free agent with the Sacramento Kings.
In parts of three seasons in Toronto, Miller averaged 9.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.1 steals in 28.1 minutes per game, shooting .509/0-for-16/.652.
Taken 22nd overall out of Arkansas by the Phoenix Suns in the 1992 NBA Draft, Miller signed as a restricted free agent with the Pistons in September 1994.
After his rights were renounced, Miller signed with the Dallas Mavericks in October 1996 before he was waived in February 1997.
In August 1999, he was released by Sacramento and returned to the Suns as a free agent.
Unsigned after the 1999-2000 season, Miller played in Poland, the new American Basketball Association, the International Basketball League, the Continental Basketball Association and in Puerto Rico and China before returning to the NBA with the Minnesota Timberwolves in December 2003.
Again unsigned as a free agent, Miller played in the CBA, ABA and Premier Basketball League before retiring in 2010 at the age of 40.
DIGITAL IMAGE-01/09/01-RAPTORS vs ROCKETS-Kevin Willis loses the ball as he drives past the Rockets Kenny Thomas during the first half. The Toronto Raptors played the Houston Rockets at the ACC on Tuesday night.(PHOTO BY PETER POWER/TORONTO STAR) (Photo by Peter Power/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
Kevin Willis
C-PF, 1999-2001
The Toronto Raptors made a veteran addition in June 1998 when they acquired Kevin Willis from the Houston Rockets in exchange for Roy Rogers and two first-round picks in 1998.
Willis, a power forward his entire career to that point, slid over to center with the Raptors before moving to a reserve role in his second season with the club.
In January 2001, Willis was traded with Aleksandar Radojevic, Garth Joseph and a second-round pick in 2001 to the Denver Nuggets for Tracy Murray, Keon Clark and Mamadou N’Diaye.
In parts of three seasons in Toronto, Willis averaged 9.1 points and 6.8 rebounds in 23.5 minutes per game, shooting .426/1-for-7/.805.
Taken 11th overall out of Michigan State by the Atlanta Hawks in the 1984 NBA Draft, Willis was an All-Star with the Hawks in 1992 and an All-NBA pick in 1991-92.
He was traded to the Miami Heat in November 1994.
In February 1996, Willis was dealt to the Golden State Warriors, who released him in July 1996. The following month, he signed with the Rockets.
In October 2001, Willis was traded twice in one day, first to the Milwaukee Bucks and then back to Houston.
He signed with the San Antonio Spurs as a free agent in August 2002 and returned to the Hawks as a free agent in September 2004.
After sitting out the 2005-06 season, signed a 10-day contract with the Dallas Mavericks in April 2007 before signing on for the remainder of the season, retiring at the end of the campaign at age 44.
Willis is sixth in NBA history with 1,424 games, 40th with 38,362 minutes played and 23rd with 11,901 rebounds.
May 13, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Terrence Ross (31) prepares to shoot the ball in front of Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson (0) during the first quarter in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Terrence Ross
SG-SF, 2012-16
Terrence Ross declared for the pros after his sophomore season at Washington, when he averaged more than 16 points and six rebounds per game.
The Toronto Raptors selected the athletic swingman with the eighth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.
Ross won the Slam Dunk Contest as a rookie, but has yet trying to take control of a full-time starting job with the Raptors.
He primarily came off the bench in 2015-16, appearing in 73 games with just seven starts. He averaged 9.9 points and 2.5 rebounds in 23.9 minutes per game on .431/.386/.790 shooting.
In four seasons in Toronto, Ross has averaged 9.3 points and 2.6 rebounds in 23.4 minutes per game, shooting .419/.377/.795.
Ross agreed to a three-year, $31.5 million extension with the Raptors in November 2015 and is under contract through 2018-19.
May 17, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Raptors forward James Johnson (3) shoots in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game one of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
James Johnson
SF-PF, 2011-12, 2014-16
James Johnson came to the Toronto Raptors in a February 2011 trade deadline deal from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for a first-round pick in 2011.
Johnson played primarily small forward, starting 65 games and coming off the bench the rest of his stint. In July 2012, the Raptors traded Johnson to the Sacramento Kings for a second-round selection in 2014.
He returned to the team as a free agent in July 2014 and was a part-time starter at the power forward spot.
Johnson was limited to 57 games in 2015-16 because of a nagging ankle injury, starting 32 contests and averaging 5.0 points and 2.2 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game on .475/.303/.574 shooting.
He left on July 10, 2016, to sign a one-year, $4 million deal with the Miami Heat.
In parts of four seasons in Toronto, Johnson has averaged 7.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 21.3 minutes per game, shooting .498/.277/.665.
He was the 16th overall pick out of Wake Forest by the Bulls in the 2009 NBA Draft, but never was able to crack the regular rotation in Chicago and spent some time in the D-League on assignment.
The Kings non-tendered him in June 2013, making him an unrestricted free agent, and he signed with the Atlanta Hawks in September 2013, but was waived in the preseason in October of that year.
He signed with the Memphis Grizzlies in December 2013 before returning to the Raptors.
TORONTO – JANUARY 29: Ron Artest #93 of the Sacramento Kings battles for position against Matt Bonner #16 of the Torotnto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre January 29, 2006 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Raptors beat the Kings, 124-123, in overtime. (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images)
Matt Bonner
C-PF, 2004-06
The Toronto Raptors acquired the rights to former Florida forward Matt Bonner from the Chicago Bulls on draft night in 2003, trading a second-round pick in 2004 for the rights to the second-round pick.
Without a roster spot available, Bonner was asked to play in Italy in 2003-04 before signing with the Raptors in September 2004.
He backed up at both center and power forward and proved to be a very capable stretch big man with a deft 3-point touch.
He was traded in June 2006 with Eric Williams and a second-round pick in 2009 to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Rasho Nesterovic.
In two seasons in Toronto, Bonner averaged 7.3 points and 3.6 rebounds in 20.4 minutes per game, shooting .490/.421/.810.
With the Spurs, Bonner led the NBA in 3-point shooting in 2010-11 and was part of championship teams in 2007 and 2014.
Currently unsigned for 2016-17, Bonner is 14th in NBA history with a 3-point percentage of .414.
RAPTORS BASKETBALL—01/28/04—Jalen Rose squeks through the defence for a lay-up as the Toronto Raptors defeat the Philadephia 76ers 94-84 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, January 28, 2004. (Photo by Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
Jalen Rose
SF-PG, 2003-06
Two rebuilding teams did some shuffling of the decks in December 2003 when the Toronto Raptors acquired Jalen Rose, Donyell Marshall and Lonny Baxter from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Antonio Davis, Jerome Williams and Chris Jefferies.
Rose came to Toronto and took over at point guard before moving to small forward.
In February 2006, he was traded with a first-round pick in 2006 to the New York Knicks, with Davis coming back to the Raptors.
In parts of three seasons in Toronto, Rose averaged 16.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 33.4 minutes per game, shooting .431/.345/.822.
Rose was the 13th overall pick out of Michigan by the Denver Nuggets in the 1994 NBA Draft and was an All-Rookie selection in 1994-95.
In June 1996, he was traded to the Indiana Pacers, where he was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 1999-2000.
In February 2002, Rose was dealt to the Bulls and was waived by the Knicks in October 2006, signing with the Phoenix Suns a week later.
He retired after the 2006-07 season.
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 09: Andrea Bargnani #7 of the Toronto Raptors drives to the basket during a 102-83 Los Angeles Clipper win at Staples Center on December 9, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Andrea Bargnani
PF-C, 2006-13
The Toronto Raptors made NBA history in the 2006 NBA Draft, selecting Italian big man Andrea Bargnani with the top overall pick in the draft. Bargnani was the first European player to go No. 1 overall.
He was an All-Rookie selection in 2006-07 and averaged 20 points per game one season, but the general consensus was that he didn’t play up to the level expected of a top overall draft pick.
In July 2013, Bargnani was traded to the New York Knicks in exchange for Marcus Camby, Quentin Richardson, Steve Novak, second-round picks in 2014 and 2017 and a first-round selection in 2016.
In seven seasons in Toronto, Bargnani averaged 15.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 30.3 minutes per game, shooting .437/.361/.825.
After two injury-shortened seasons with the Knicks, Bargnani signed as a free agent with the Brooklyn Nets in July 2015.
He played in 46 games for Brooklyn last season before being waived on Feb. 20, 2016. Bargnani averaged 6.6 points and 2.1 rebounds in 13.8 minutes per game on .455/3-for-16/.825 shooting.
On July 26, 2016, Bargnani signed a two-year deal to play in Spain.
30 Apr 2000: Patrick Ewing #33 of the New York Knicks with the ball as Charles Oakley #34 of the Toronto Raptors during the NBA Eastern Conference Round One Game at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Knicks defeated the Raptors 87-80. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport
Charles Oakley
PF, 1999-2001
The Toronto Raptors went shopping for a veteran in June 1998 when they acquired Charles Oakley and the rights to second-round pick Sean Marks from the New York Knicks in exchange for Marcus Camby.
Oakley brought veteran leadership and some toughness to a young club and the Raptors reached the playoffs in each of his last two seasons.
In July 2001, Oakley was traded with a second-round pick in 2002 to the Chicago Bulls for Brian Skinner.
In three seasons in Toronto, Oakley averaged 7.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.1 steals in 32.8 minutes per game, shooting .406/.274/.813.
Oakley was the ninth overall pick out of Virginia Union by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1985 NBA Draft and was immediately dealt to the Bulls on draft night.
He was traded to the Knicks in June 1988, where he was an All-Star in 1994 and a two-time All-Defensive selection.
In October 2002, Oakley signed as a free agent with the Washington Wizards.
In March 2004, after sitting out most of the season, he signed two 10-day contracts with the Houston Rockets, but retired after the second expired.
He is 24th in NBA history with 1,282 games, 29th with 40,280 minutes played and 21st with 12,205 rebounds.
TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 4: Toronto Raptors Ed Davis (32) looks to pass during the game as the Toronto Raptors lost 105-96 to the Sacramento Kings at the Air Canada Centre January 4 2013 DAVID COOPER/TORONTO STAR (David Cooper/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
Ed Davis
PF-C, 2010-13
Ed Davis had flashed potential as a sophomore at North Carolina, averaging more than 13 points and almost 10 rebounds per game before declaring for the pros.
The Toronto Raptors selected the 6-foot-10 left-hander with the 13th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.
He was a part-time starter for the Raptors before he was traded in January 2013 with Jose Calderon and a second-round pick in 2013 to the Memphis Grizzlies in a three-team deal in which the team acquired Rudy Gay and Hamed Haddadi from Memphis.
In parts of three seasons in Toronto, Davis averaged 7.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 24.0 minutes per game, shooting .547/0-for-1/.619.
Davis signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers in July 2014 and, after declining his option, signed with the Portland Trail Blazers in July 2015.
In 2015-16 with the Blazers, Davis appeared in 81 games as a backup, averaging 6.5 points and 7.4 rebounds in 20.8 minutes per game on .611/—/.559 shooting.
He is signed with the Trail Blazers through 2017-18 on a three-year, $20 million deal.
TORONTO, CANADA – MARCH 23: Doug Christie of the Toronto Raptors tries to pass the ball away from Michael Jordan of Chicago Bulls (R) 22 March in Toronto. Jordan scored 33 points to help the Bulls beat the Raptors 102-100. (Photo credit should read THOMAS CHENG/AFP/Getty Images)
Doug Christie
SG-SF, 1996-2000
Doug Christie was still trying to find his niche when he was acquired by the Toronto Raptors in February 1996 along with Herb Williams and cash from the New York Knicks in exchange for Willie Anderson and Victor Alexander.
He started to find that niche with the Raptors, finishing second in the NBA in steals in 1996-97, third in 1997-98 and fifth in 1998-99.
In September 2000, he was traded to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Corliss Williamson.
In parts of five seasons in Toronto, Christie averaged 14.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.1 steals in 34.8 minutes per game, shooting .414/.355/.817.
Christie was the 17th overall pick out of Pepperdine by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1992 NBA Draft, but refused to sign with the Sonics and had his rights traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in February 1993.
In October 1994, he was traded to New York.
He was a four-time All-Defensive selection while with the Kings and was dealt to the Orlando Magic in January 2005.
Waived in August 2005, Christie signed eight days later with the Dallas Mavericks.
Waived again in November 2005, Christie was out of basketball until January 2007, when he signed two 10-day contracts with the Los Angeles Clippers.
He retired after the second of those expired.
He is 34th in NBA history with 1,555 steals and 21st with an average of 1.9 steals per game.
25 Nov 2001: Alvin Williams #20 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball as he is guarded by Craig Claxton #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers durng the game at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. The Raptors defeated the 76ers 107-88. Copyright 2001 NBAE Mandatory Credit: Dave Sandford /Getty Images
Alvin Williams
PG-SG, 1998-2004, 2005-06
Alvin Williams was still a rookie when the Toronto Raptors acquired him in a blockbuster February 1998 trade with the Portland Trail Blazers, also getting Kenny Anderson, Gary Trent, two first-round picks in 1998 and a second-round selection in 1998 in exchange for Damon Stoudamire, Walt Williams and Carlos Rogers.
Williams wound up lasting a long time with the Raptors, starting and coming off the bench at both guard spots.
His career was cut short by a knee injury in 2003-04 that cost him the rest of that season, all of the 2004-05 campaign and all but one game in 2005-06.
In parts of eight seasons in Toronto, Williams averaged 9.3 points, 4.3 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 28.1 minutes per game, shooting .419/.315/.765.
Williams was a second-round pick out of Villanova by the Trail Blazers in the 1997 NBA Draft.
Released by Toronto in July 2006, he signed a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Clippers in January 2007 and retired after that deal expired.
UNITED STATES – NOVEMBER 01: Basketball: Toronto Raptors Morris Peterson (24) in action, layup vs New Jersy Nets, East Rutherford, NJ 11/1/2006 (Photo by Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (SetNumber: X76956 TK1 R4)
Morris Peterson
SF-SG, 2000-07
Morris Peterson went out a champion at Michigan State, also earning All-America honors as a senior after averaging almost 17 points to go with six rebounds per game.
The Toronto Raptors took the left-hander with the 21st overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft.
The swingman was an All-Rookie selection in 2000-01 and was a solid deep threat for the Raptors.
Peterson drained at least 100 three-pointers in his final five seasons in Toronto and was durable, appearing in 82 games a season four straight years.
He left to sign with the New Orleans Hornets as a free agent in July 2007.
In seven seasons in Toronto, Peterson averaged 12.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals l in 29.6 minutes per game, shooting .421/.371/.782.
In June 2010, Peterson was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder and.
In February 2011 was swapped to the Charlotte Bobcats, who waived him four days later. He opted to retire.
UNITED STATES – DECEMBER 22: Basketball: Toronto Raptors Tracy McGrady (1) in action, taking shot vs New York Knicks Chris Dudley (14) and Kurt Thomas (40), New York, NY 12/22/1999 (Photo by Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (SetNumber: X59383)
Tracy McGrady
SF, 1997-2000
McDonald’s All-American Tracy McGrady from Mount Zion Christian Academy in Durham, N.C., opted to make the leap straight to the pros and was taken ninth overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 1997 NBA Draft.
He developed into a solid scoring option off the bench by his third season, but agreed to a free agent contract with the Orlando Magic and was sent there in a sign-and-trade in August 2000 in exchange for a first-round pick in 2005.
In three seasons in Toronto, McGrady averaged 11.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.0 steals in 24.7 minutes per game, shooting .448/.284/.712.
McGrady’s career took off with the Magic. He was the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2000-01, a four-time All-Star, a four-time All-NBA selection and led the NBA in scoring twice.
He was traded to the Houston Rockets in June 2004, earning three more All-Star nods and three-more All-NBA selections.
Traded to the New York Knicks as part of a three-team deal in February 2010, McGrady left in August 2010 to sign with the Detroit Pistons and signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Hawks in December 2011.
After playing most of the 2012-13 season in China, McGrady came back to the NBA as a free agent with the San Antonio Spurs in April 2013, his last NBA stop.
He dabbled in professional baseball, pitching in four games for the independent Sugar Land Skeeters in 2014 and announced his retirement from basketball—again—during a tour of China in August 2015.
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 22: Anthony Parker #18 of the Toronto Raptors drives against Eric Gordon #10 of the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 22, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
Anthony Parker
SG, 2006-09
Anthony Parker had all but disappeared from the NBA radar after spending five seasons in Israel and one in Italy.
But the Toronto Raptors brought the shooting guard back to the NBA as a free agent in July 2006 and the two-time Euroleague MVP made a splash.
Parker was fifth in the NBA in three-point shooting in 2006-07 for the Raptors, helping them back to the postseason after a four-year absence.
In July 2009, Parker left to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers as a free agent.
In three seasons in Toronto, Parker averaged 11.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals in 32.8 minutes per game, shooting .460/.424/.829.
Parker was the 21st overall pick out of Bradley by the New Jersey Nets in the 1997 NBA Draft, but his rights were traded two days later to the Philadelphia 76ers.
In August 1999, he was traded to the Orlando Magic, who waived him in January 2000.
Parker played the rest of the season in the Continental Basketball Association before playing two seasons in Israel, one in Italy and three more in Israel.
He retired in June 2012 and is 25th in NBA history with a three-point percentage of .404.
Mar 30, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Amir Johnson (15) drives to the net against Houston Rockets forward Josh Smith (5) during the first half at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Amir Johnson
PF, 2009-15
Amir Johnson came to the Toronto Raptors in a seemingly minor August 2009 trade along with Sonny Weems from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Carlos Delfino and Roko Ukic.
Johnson turned out to be more than a minor move, finishing fifth in the NBA in field-goal percentage in 2013-14 and starting at power forward for the two of the most successful regular seasons in Raptors history.
He left to sign a free agent deal with the Boston Celtics in July 2015.
In six seasons in Toronto, Johnson averaged 8.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 25.2 minutes per game, shooting .572/.341/.687.
Johnson led the league in personal fouls–a dubious achievement–in 2012-13.
He was a second-round pick out of Westchester High School in Los Angeles by the Detroit Pistons in the 2005 NBA Draft.
That made Johnson the last high school player to be drafted before eligibility rules changed in 2006.
In June 2009, Johnson was traded to the Bucks.
Last season in Boston, Johnson played in 79 games–starting 76–and averaged 7.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 22.8 minutes per game on .585/.233/.570 shooting.
On July 8, 2016, the Celtics picked up the $12 million option for 2016-17 on Johnson’s contract.
He is seventh in NBA history with a field-goal percentage of .574.
ATLANTA, UNITED STATES: Toronto Raptors’ Jerome Williams (R) drives to the basket defended by Atlanta Hawks’ DerMarr Johnson (R) at Philips Arena 28 March 2002 in Atlanta, Georgia. (STEVE SCHAEFER/AFP/Getty Images)
Jerome Williams
PF, 2001-03
The Toronto Raptors added some toughness in February 2001, acquiring Jerome Williams along with Eric Montross from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Corliss Williamson, Tyrone Corbin, Kornel David and a first-round pick in 2005.
Williams logged part-time starter’s minutes at power forward for the Raptors until December 2003.
That was when he was traded with Antonio Davis to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Jalen Rose, Donyell Marshall and Lonny Baxter.
In parts of four seasons in Toronto, Williams averaged 7.9 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 26.5 minutes per game, shooting .497/1-for-8/.626.
Williams was a JUCO transfer to Georgetown, where he averaged 10.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game as a senior.
He was the 26th overall pick by the Pistons in the 1996 NBA Draft.
In August 2004, he was traded to the New York Knicks, who waived him in May 2005 under the amnesty provision.
Williams announced his retirement in August 2005.
May 15, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) drives to the basket as Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow (20) tries to defend during the second quarter in game seven of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Patterson
PF, 2013-16
The Toronto Raptors shifted gears in December 2013, acquiring Patrick Patterson along with Greivis Vasquez, Chuck Hayes and John Salmons from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Rudy Gay, Quincy Acy and Aaron Gray.
Gay spent less than a year in Toronto and Patterson’s arrival gave the Raptors something they had lacked–a power forward with shooting range. He hit better than 41 percent of his long-ball attempts for the Raptors in 2013-14 as they set a franchise record for wins.
He’s continued in that role the last two seasons, mostly coming off the bench as a stretch 4 as Toronto has improved on that franchise-best win total each season.
In 2015-16, Patterson played in 79 games–all as a reserve–and averaged 6.9 points and 4.3 rebounds in 25.6 minutes per game on .414/.362/.853 shooting as the Raptors reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time.
In parts of three seasons in Toronto, Patterson has averaged 7.8 points and 4.9 rebounds in 25.5 minutes a game, shooting .444/.374/.787.
After not making a start during the regular season, he was in the lineup for nine of Toronto’s 20 playoff games in 2016.
Patterson averaged 14.3 points and 7.4 rebounds a game as a junior at Kentucky before opting to enter the NBA.
The Houston Rockets selected Patterson with the 14th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft and he had a climb before landing regular rotation minutes, spending a month as a rookie in the D-League.
In February 2013, he was traded to the Kings.
Patterson has one year remaining on the three-year contract he signed with Toronto in July 2014.
22 Dec 1995: Guard Damon Stoudamire of the Toronto Raptors moves the ball against the Chicago Bulls during a game played at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls won the game, 113-104. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Allsport
Damon Stoudamire
PG, 1995-98
The Toronto Raptors were given the seventh overall pick in the 1995 NBA Draft in advance of their first season in the league and used it on All-American point guard Damon Stoudamire from Arizona, who averaged almost 23 points and more than seven assists per game as a senior.
It was a solid pick as Stoudamire was the 1995-96 Rookie of the Year, finishing fifth in the NBA in assists as a first-year player. He was also second in minutes per game in 1995-96 and fourth in 1996-97.
In February 1998, Stoudamire was traded with Walt Williams and Carlos Rogers to the Portland Trail Blazers for Kenny Anderson, Alvin Williams, Gary Trent, two first-round picks in 1998 and a second-round selection in 1998.
In parts of three seasons in Toronto, he averaged 19.6 points, 8.8 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 41.0 minutes per game, shooting .415/.360/.820.
Stoudamire would later sign as a free agent with the Memphis Grizzlies in August 2005.
Waived in January 2008, he signed the following month with the San Antonio Spurs before retiring and entering coaching.
Named head coach at the University of the Pacific in March, Stoudamire is getting his first head coaching opportunity after stops as an assistant at Rice, Memphis and Arizona.
He also spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the Grizzlies from 2009-11 before returning to college basketball.
He is 46th in NBA history with 1,236 3-pointers and 49th with 5,371 assists.
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 15: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Jose Calderon #8 of the Toronto Raptors in action against Deron Williams #8 of the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 15, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.The Nets defeated the Raptors 113-106. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Jose Calderon
PG-SG, 2005-13
Spaniard Jose Calderon was undrafted in 2003, but the Toronto Raptors took a shot on the seven-year veteran of the Spain’s ACB—its top division—in August 2005.
It worked out well for the Raptors. Calderon led the NBA in free-throw shooting in 2008-09, finished fourth in assists in 2008-09 and 2011-12 and was fifth in the league in 2007-08 and 2010-11.
In January 2013, Calderon was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies with Ed Davis and a 2013 second-round pick in exchange for Rudy Gay and Hamed Haddadi and was then swapped to the Detroit Pistons as part of the same trade.
In parts of eight seasons in Toronto, Calderon averaged 10.0 points, 7.2 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 28.4 minutes per game, shooting .481/.388/.877.
He set an NBA single-season record with a free-throw percentage of .981 in 2008-09.
In the season split between the Raptors and Detroit in 2012-13, Calderon led the NBA in three-point shooting before signing as a free agent with the Dallas Mavericks in July 2013.
In June 2014, he was traded to the New York Knicks.
Last season, he started 72 games for New York, averaging 7.6 points, 4.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 28.1 minutes per game on .459/.414/.875 shooting.
He’s been traded twice since the end of the 2015-16 season, going to the Chicago Bulls on June 22, 2016, and being moved to the Los Angeles Lakers on July 7, 2016.
He has one year remaining on the contract he signed in 2013.
Calderon is 16th in NBA history with a three-point percentage of .412 and 40th with an average of 6.5 assists per game.
RAPTORS_01-NOV.25,2001-Toronto Raptors Antonio Davis tries to regain control of the ball against Philadelphia 76ers Craig Claxton in second half NBA action at the Air Canada Centre. Raptors won 107-88. (TANNIS TOOHEY/TORONTO STAR) (Photo by Tannis Toohey/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
Antonio Davis
C-PF, 1999-2003, 2006
The Toronto Raptors acquired Antonio Davis from the Indiana Pacers in August 1999 in exchange for the rights to Jonathan Bender, who had been the fifth overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft.
The Raptors won the deal … big. Davis was an All-Star in 2001 and provided leadership and banging for the Raps’ first playoff teams.
In December 2003, Davis was dealt with Jerome Williams and Chris Jefferies to the Chicago Bulls for Jalen Rose, Donyell Marshall and Lonny Baxter.
He later returned to the Raptors in a February 2006 trade with the New York Knicks in exchange for Rose and a first-round pick in 2006.
Davis retired after being waived in March 2006 because of a season-ending back injury.
In parts of six seasons in Toronto, Davis averaged 12.9 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 34.9 minutes per game, shooting .426/0-for-2/.770.
Taken in the second round, 45th overall, out of UTEP by the Pacers in the 1990 NBA Draft, Davis delayed his NBA career.
He played his first two professional seasons in Greece and then played a season in Italy before signing with Indiana in July 1993.
In October 2005, he was traded to the Knicks.
May 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) reaches to block a shot from Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) in game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Jonas Valanciunas
C, 2012-16
Jonas Valanciunas came to the NBA from Lithuania with an impressive track record, earning FIBA Europe MVP honors at the U16, U18 and U19 continental championships and was named the Rising Star of the 2012 Eurocup.
The Toronto Raptors took Valanciunas with the fifth overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and signed him in July 2012.
He was an All-Rookie selection for the Raptors in 2012-13 and finished second in the NBA in field-goal percentage in 2014-15.
Last season, Valanciunas was limited to 60 games during the regular season because of a broken hand, averaging 12.8 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 26.0 minutes per game on .565/—/.761 shooting.
He then sat out eight games in the playoffs because of a sprained ankle.
Valanciunas was, however, huge when available–averaging a double-double (13.8 points/10.8 rebounds) in just 26.8 minutes a night.
In four seasons in Toronto, Valanciunas has averaged 11.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 26.2 minutes per game, shooting .556/0-for-2/.774.
He signed a five-year extension of his rookie contract in August 2015, with the final season in 2019-20 a player option.
May 19, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) reaches to block a shoot by Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) during the second half in game two of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 108-89. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
DeMar DeRozan
SG, 2009-16
DeMar DeRozan slashed his way to nearly 14 points and six rebounds per game as a freshman at USC before entering the draft pool.
The Toronto Raptors selected him with the ninth overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.
After a slow start, DeRozan took off and has been a two-time All-Star for the Raptors, finishing fourth in the NBA in minutes per game in 2013-14.
Last season marked DeRozan’s second All-Star campaign and he finished second in the NBA in made free throws, getting to the line the third-most time in the league.
He averaged 23.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.0 steals in 35.9 minutes per game on .446/.338/.850 shooting last season as the Raptors reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time.
In seven seasons in Toronto, DeRozan is averaging 18.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 33.9 minutes per game, shooting .442/.283/.825.
DeRozan entered the free agent pool after the 2015-16 season, but on July 14, 2016, opted to re-sign with the Raptors.
He got a five-year, $137.5 million deal that includes a player option for the final season in 2020-21.
HEALTHY HOME02/29/08—Chris Bosh gets around Troy Murphy, Bosh left the game with a knee injury as the Toronto Raptors play the Indiana Pacers at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. February 29, 2008. (Steve Russell /Toronto Star) (Photo by Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
Chris Bosh
C-PF, 2003-10
Chris Bosh showed a diverse skill set as a freshman at Georgia Tech, averaging almost 16 points and nine rebounds per game.
The Toronto Raptors took the versatile big man with the fourth overall pick in the loaded 2003 NBA Draft.
He was an All-Rookie pick in 2003-04 and went on to become a five-time All-Star with the Raptors, earning All-NBA honors in 2006-07.
But in July 2010, Bosh agreed to a free-agent contract with the Miami Heat and was sent there in a sign-and-trade deal in exchange for two 2011 first-round picks and a trade exception.
In seven seasons in Toronto, Bosh averaged 20.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 blocks in 37.0 minutes per game, shooting .492/.298/.796.
Since going to Miami, Bosh has been an All-Star six more times and was on NBA title teams in 2012 and 2013.
Last season, Bosh was sidelined after the All-Star break because of blood clots–the second straight season he’s been out for the second half of the campaign–and averaged 19.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 33.5 minutes per game on .467/.365/.795 shooting.
He played in just 53 games and has logged only 97 the last two seasons.
He is under contract with the Heat through 2018-19 and is 48th in NBA history with an average of 35.8 minutes per game.
May 9, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) is pressured by Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) during the first quarter in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Lowry
PG, 2012-16
The Toronto Raptors were just looking for some backcourt depth when they acquired Kyle Lowry from the Houston Rockets in July 2012 in exchange for Gary Forbes and a first-round pick in 2013.
He’s been more than that for the Raptors, breaking out with a big season in 2013-14 and following that up with his first two All-Star bids in 2015 and 2016.
Lowry added an All-NBA selection in 2015-16, when he was fifth in the NBA in three-pointers, second in minutes per game and fourth in steals.
He averaged 21.2 points, 6.4 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 2.1 steals in 37.0 minutes per game on .427/.388/.811 shooting–setting career-bests in scoring and steals along the way while appearing in 77 games.
In four seasons in Toronto, Lowry has averaged 17.3 points, 6.8 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 34.5 minutes per game, shooting .418/.370/.808.
Lowry averaged 11.0 points per game as a sophomore at Villanova before, somewhat surprisingly, entering the draft.
He was taken 24th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2006 NBA Draft.
Lowry was traded to the Rockets in a three-team deal in February 2009.
He re-signed with Toronto in July 2014 on a four-year, $48 million deal that includes a player option for the final year in 2017-18.
INDIANAPOLIS – MARCH 9: Vince Carter #15 of the Toronto Raptors drives baseline against Ron Artest #23 of the Indiana Pacers during the game at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 9, 2004 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Raptors won 94-84. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Vince Carter
SF-SG, 1999-2004
The Toronto Raptors landed the best player in franchise history in a draft-night trade in June 1998 for one of his college teammates.
The Raptors acquired the rights to fifth overall pick Vince Carter along with cash from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for the rights to fourth overall selection Antawn Jamison.
Carter took Toronto by storm, earning Rookie of the Year honors in 1998-99 before going to four All-Star games and earning All-NBA honors twice.
He was fourth in the league in scoring in 1999-2000 and fifth in 2000-01.
But it was an acrimonious ending for Carter with the Raptors.
The star was being benched in the fourth quarter of games by new coach Sam Mitchell and there was a huge controversy over comments Carter made to TNT’s John Thompson that were interpreted as an admission that the player quit on the team.
In December 2004, Carter was traded to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Alonzo Mourning, Eric Williams, Aaron Williams and first-round picks in 2005 and 2006.
The controversy was further fueled when Mourning refused to report to the Raptors.
In parts of seven seasons in Toronto, Carter averaged 23.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks in 37.5 minutes per game, shooting .446/.383/.783.
Carter was a four-time All-Star with New Jersey before he was traded in June 2009 to the Orlando Magic.
In December 2010, he was dealt to the Phoenix Suns, who waived him in December 2011.
He signed three days later as a free agent with the Dallas Mavericks and in July 2014 signed with the Memphis Grizzlies.
With the Grizzlies last season, Carter averaged 6.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 16.8 minutes per game on .388/.349/.833 shooting, appearing in 60 games and starting three.
Under contract with the Grizzlies through 2016-17, Carter is 26th in NBA history with 1,274 games, 23rd with 41,336 minutes played, sixth with 1,937 3-pointers and 24th with 23,969 points.
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