What Joe Wieskamp Being Waived Means for the Raptors

The Toronto Raptors have opened a roster spot to presumably sign Jeff Dowtin Jr. by waiving Joe Wieskamp on Monday

Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

The Joe Wieskamp situation was always a bit of a weird one for the Toronto Raptors.

Toronto signed Wieskamp to a pair of 10-day contracts last January, played him twice in meaningful minutes before inking him to a multi-year non-guaranteed contract through the end of the season. From that point on, though, the Raptors never gave Wieskamp meaningful playing time and opted eventually to waive the 23-year-old Monday evening after a lackluster showing in Summer League.

In doing so, the Raptors have saved themselves $1.9 million for next season and opened up a roster spot to fill with someone else on a minimum contract.

In all likelihood, that open spot will go to Jeff Dowtin Jr., who currently remains unsigned, having been tendered a two-way qualifying offer earlier this summer. Throughout the end of last season, the Raptors made it clear they wanted to have Dowtin back with the team this year.

It’s understandable that Toronto wanted to give Wieskamp a shot behind the scenes, but what’s clear is the 6-foot-6 forward never did much to impress the organization. Yet, the Raptors decided to keep Wieskamp last year rather than sign Dowtin to a standard contract that would have made him eligible to play down the stretch and into the post-season, should Toronto have qualified. Dowtin had been playing meaningful rotation minutes whereas Wieskamp hadn’t.

With Wieskamp waived, Toronto’s roster currently sits at 14 players with an additional player, Markquis Nowell, signed to a two-way contract. The Raptors could look into bringing someone else in to fill the final roster spot, though the minimum market is quite picked over at this moment and Dowtin is likely to be the best option. 

Further Reading

Fred VanVleet Admits It Was 'Time for a Change of Scenery' in Departure from Raptors

Gradey Dick Shows Why Raptors Should be Excited But Mishaps in 4th Prove Costly

Dennis Schröder Talks Free Agency, Joining the Raptors, Being a Mentor, & Starting for Toronto