As all the focus has been on the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference, the Toronto Raptors have quietly started the 2017-18 NBA season with two dominating wins over the Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers.
Despite winning by an average of 25.5 points through the first two games, the Raptors have made a roster change. According to Mike Scotto of Basketball Insiders, they have waived KJ McDaniels:
Toronto Raptors will waive swingman K.J. McDaniels, league sources told @BBallInsiders.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) October 22, 2017
After signing a partially guaranteed one-year deal back in August, McDaniels did not make any appearances through the first two games. Despite a strong rookie season with the Philadelphia 76ers, the former No. 32 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft has not been given the same opportunities with the Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets.
Since McDaniels was not a rotation player for head coach Dwane Casey, the focus remains on if the team's core is good enough to compete against the Cavaliers, Celtics, and Washington Wizards. With the starting lineup signed through at least the 2019-20 NBA season, they will need to show they can perform at a high level in the playoffs.
As ownership has made a financial commitment by re-signing Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka, the Raptors are hoping to make the Eastern Conference Finals and beyond.
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