The Toronto Raptors converted rookie Jamison Battle‘s contract from a two-way deal to a standard contract, per ESPN’s Shams Charania earlier this afternoon. Charania said that the Ohio State product would receive a three-year deal.
Battle will make about $438,000 for the rest of the year. His deal calls for him to make the second-year player minimum of $1.9 million next season and $2.2 million next year. However, the next two years are nonguaranteed.
Raptors Make Two Roster Moves, Including Signing Ohio State Product To Multi-Year Deal
Battle has been with Toronto after going undrafted in 2024. After playing with the team’s summer league squad, Battle signed a developmental Exhibit 10 contract with the Raptors as he demonstrated the 3-D potential that carried him throughout college. The 23-year-old then had his training camp pact ripped up for a two-way deal.
With Toronto suffering a rash of injuries even before the season got underway, Battle saw immediate action. The 6-7 forward made his NBA debut in the Raptors/ 2024-25 season opener. While Battle has spent time with the G-League Raptors 905, he also has seen considerable time with Toronto.
In 36 games with the Raptors, Battle averages 5.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in 13 minutes of action. He makes 1.3 threes a game with shooting splits of 45.8/41.7/85.7. He has scored in double figures four times, including a career-high 24 against New Orleans on November 27.
The Raptors decided to promote Battle for several reasons. First and foremost, their recent transactions left them with 13 players on standard contracts, one player short of the league’s 14-player minimum.
Why Was Jamison Battle Promoted?
At the trade deadline yesterday, Toronto brought in Brandon Ingram, P.J. Tucker, and James Wiseman. The Raptors sent Mitchell, Kelly Olynyk, and Bruce Brown in trades. They waived Wiseman, who is out for the remainder of the season, earlier today, and Orlando Robinson‘s 10-day contract expired.
The second reason Battle was promoted was that the Raptors were going to have to make a decision on him soon anyway. Players on two-way deals can only be active for 50 games. Tonight’s game against Oklahoma City marked the 40th time that the 6-7 wing has been active, meaning he has received four DNPs.
Therefore, the Raptors’ president, Masai Ujiri, has made the decision now. Furthermore, the trade of Brown and injuries to RJ Barrett and Ingram left the Raptors shorthanded on the wings. Barrett’s absence against the Thunder marked his third straight game with a concussion. Meanwhile, Ingram has not played since December 7 due to a lingering ankle injury and may be out for the foreseeable future.
So, at the very least, Battle will continue to provide depth for the Raptors. But Battle will certainly be given chances to show that he should remain with the organization after this year. Battle is an elite shooter who has 14 multi-3-point games, though he has also shown the ability to be a more complete offensive player.
According to Zulfi Sheikh of Sportsnet.ca, Battle has grown significantly as a cutter and defender. He is also a solid finisher around the rim but is lethal from the corners (connecting on 40% of his corner tries).
“I think defensively, (that’s) the biggest thing for me; that’s what I’ve been trying to work on,” Battle told Sheikh during his latest stint with the Raptors 905.
Orlando Robinson Agrees To Two-Way Deal
Robinson joined the Raptors on his first of two 10-day contracts about a week and a half after being released by Sacramento. During these 20 days, Robinson appeared in seven contests, averaging 3.2 points and 2.7 boards in 11 minutes, though he only shot 36.4% from the field.
Still, the 24-year-old impressed the Raptors brass enough to earn a two-way deal after his 10-day pacts expired earlier today, per Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca. Specifically, Robinson’s length and athleticism, rebounding, and defensive potential were enough of enticement. Robinson, who has appeared in 83 NBA games, is eligible to appear in 18 of the Raptors remaining 30 contests per NBA rules.
Robinson figures to see increased playing time with Jakob Poeltl dealing with a hip injury. H produced six points, five boards, and four assists over 17 minutes in Toronto’s 121-109 loss to OKC.
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