Raptors Discuss Will Barton Signing, Guard Will be Active Tuesday vs Bulls

The Toronto Raptors will have Will Barton active Tuesday night when they take on the Chicago Bulls

Aaron Rose | Feb 28, 2023

Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

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Toronto Raptors

Will Barton is in Toronto and available to play should the Toronto Raptors need him Tuesday night against the Chicago Bulls.

The 31-year-old guard joined the team Tuesday afternoon following a buyout from the Washington Wizards where he'd played in 40 games this season, averaging 7.7 points per game before falling out of the rotation in January.

“He’s an interesting player," Raptors coach Nick Nurse said of the 11-year veteran who spent parts of eight seasons in Denver. "He has played a lot in the league on a team that won a lot.

"He’s an offense creator. He can play screen-and-roll. He can also shoot the 3. Made a bunch of them in his career. Those two things should help us."

Barton is unlikely to play Tuesday as he still needs to get up to speed in Toronto's system, but the Raptors are hoping his 45.5% three-point stroke on catch-and-shoot threes can help open up the offense.

"I think there are probably some times that call for some backcourt help off the bench, and we’ll see if he can provide that," Nurse added.

Toronto waived Juancho Hernangomez to make room for Barton. It was a decision that came down to Hernangomez's contract situation, Nurse said. The 27-year-old is on a one-year expiring minimum contract and parting ways with him will have no long-term impact on the team.

"I thought Juancho had some pretty decent moments for us," Nurse added. "We thought we gave him a pretty adequate opportunity and look throughout the season. Probably a couple of younger guys we want to keep an eye on.”

Hernangomez played in 42 games, averaging 2.9 points per game while shooting 25.4% from three-point range.

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