Free agent forward Kyle Wiltjer has agreed to a one-year, $1.3 million non-guaranteed contract with the Toronto Raptors, according to Oliver Maroney and Robby Kalland of DIME Magazine. This contract will allow the former Houston Rocket wing to fight for a shot at a roster spot in training camp.
Wiltjer was one of the many young assets the Rockets boasted last season, signing with the team as an undrafted free agent, mustering only 44 minutes through 14 appearances with the team.
A Canadian-American, the 6-foot-10 forward was amply happy to return to his roots and get a chance to be part of the Raptors' roster come October.
“I’m just really excited to be back in Toronto and Canada,” Wiltjer said. “I’ve been working really hard all summer long to get better in all facets of my game and I’m just happy that I’ll be in my home nation.”
Wiltjer spent most of last season with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Houston's G-League affiliate, where he averaged 20.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game while shooting 37.7 percent from beyond the arc.
The Gonzaga product was part of the Chris Paul deal that sent half of the Rockets' roster to L.A. — consequently getting waived by the team.
“I got thrown in the Chris Paul trade and I was really down after it happened because I thought Houston was a great spot for me,” Wiltjer told us. “It really showed me that anything can happen and you have to always be prepared to move.”
The Raptors also have North Carolina center Kennedy Meeks and Green Bay's Alfonzo McKinnie, who will compete with Wiltjer for the last two roster spots available.
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