NBA Summer League is underway which provides a spotlight for the rookie class and other young prospects. This is a crucial time for development, as this is a great way for the league to showcase its future stars. However, the Toronto Raptors are facing some heat after bringing in an alleged domestic abuser to the roster.
According to Eric Koreen, Toronto was asked about adding Rodions Kurucs to the Summer League roster. The Latvian small forward pleaded guilty to “disorderly conduct following allegations of assaulting his wife in 2019.” Although that's true, the Raptors claim they knew of his past, conducted their own research, and ultimately decided to give him an offer.
I asked a Raptors spokesperson why Rodions Kurucs is on the LVSL roster after pleading guilty to disorderly conduct following allegations of assaulting his wife in 2019, and the response was that the team knew about his history, did homework, and deciding to make offer for LVSL
— (((Eric Koreen))) (@ekoreen) July 6, 2022
Rodions Kurucs was playing for the Brooklyn Nets at the time of his domestic abuse incident. The young forward hasn't played much time in the NBA, as he's been a benchwarmer for Brooklyn, the Houston Rockets, and the Milwaukee Bucks. Kurucs might be getting his last chance to remain in the league after signing with the Raptors to participate in the Summer League.
In 2021, Kurucs had to “complete a 16-week domestic violence program and abide by a final order of protection, according to a Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office spokesman,” per The Athletic. So, it's likely the Raptors looked into that rehabilitation process as a way to justify acquiring Rodians Kurucs for the Summer League. Since that 2019 incident, there have been no other reports of domestic violence issues for the small forward.
We'll see how it all plays out, but all eyes are on the Raptors and Rodians Kurucs right now.
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