Raptors Sign Backup Center For Season Finale

The Toronto Raptors have inked Malik Williams to another deal through the end of the season

Apr 3, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Toronto Raptors center Malik Williams (35) looks on during / Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Malik Williams will get at least one more game with the Toronto Raptors.

The organization has signed Williams to what is essentially a one-game contract following the expiration of his initial 10-day deal, the Raptors announced Saturday.

Williams will likely see some playing time off the bench for Toronto against the Miami Heat in the regular season finale, as a backup big behind Kelly Olynyk.

There's reportedly nothing in Williams' deal regarding his status with the team moving forward, per Blake Murphy of Sportsnet. It's possible Williams is a player Toronto will keep around for Summer League this offseason, but it's hard to see the 6-foot-11 center sticking with the organization through training camp next year.

Williams has so far appeared in three games for the Raptors, twice starting in place of the injured Olynyk. He's averaging just 2.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game while shooting 22.2% from the floor.

The Indiana native went undrafted in 2022 and spent most of this past year in the G League playing for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Miami's G League affiliate. Toronto signed him to a 10-day contract to help add some frontcourt depth following the injury to Jakob Poeltl and the investigation into Jontay Porter.

The Raptors will likely look to add a new, younger player to the front court this summer as a developmental player to backup Olynyk and Poeltl moving forward. Neither Porter nor Williams are expected to be back and the loss of Christian Koloko earlier this year has left Toronto thin at the center position.