On January 5, NBA teams were eligible to sign players to 10-day contracts. Essentially that 10-day deal allows the individual to not just showcase what he can bring to the table to the team that signed him, but also to the 29 other teams. A team is allowed to sign a player to two 10-day contracts. They will then have to decide if they want to keep them for the remainder of the season. On Wednesday, a player claimed the distinction of being the first in the 2024-25 season to agree on a 10-day deal. That would be forward Eugene Omoruyi who will be joining the Toronto Raptors.
Raptors Become First To Use 10-Day Contract In 2024-25 Season
Eugene Omoruyi Agrees To 10-Day Contract With Toronto
After spending time in the NBA each of the last three seasons, Omoruyi will now make it a fourth. The news of the signing was announced in the midst of a Raptors game against the New York Knicks. The Knicks defeated Toronto 112-98, dropping their abysmal record on the season to 8-29. That is the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference and third-worst in the NBA.
A roster spot opened for the Raptors when they decided to waive Bruno Fernando on Tuesday before Fernando’s contract became fully-guaranteed. For now, Toronto replaces him with the 6-foot-7 Omoruyi, a player who has mostly been utilized at the forward position in his career.
The 27-year-old has spent the season playing with the Raptors G League affiliate, the Raptors 905. In 14 Tip-Off Tournament and regular season outings with the club, Omoruyi has posted averages of 19.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.
The Raptors have four games, starting with Thursday on the road against the Cleveland Cavaliers while Omoruyi will be on his 10-day contract. They will then have to decide whether they want to extend him an offer of another 10-day deal. If not, he will presumably head back to the G League, unless another team presents him with an opportunity.
Will Be His Fifth Team Of His NBA Career
The Raptors will be Omoruyi’s fifth NBA team of his career since making his debut on October 29, 2021. He signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves last offseason, but he was waived prior to the start of the regular season.
Undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, Omoruyi played four games for the Dallas Mavericks in 2021-22. The following season was split between two teams (23 games with the Oklahoma City Thunder, 17 with the Detroit Pistons). Last season, he appeared in 43 games with the Washington Wizards. The Wizards waived Omoruyi in August.
In 87 career games (six starts), Omoruyi has posted averages of 5.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.7 assists. He has shot 46.0% from the field, 28.5% from beyond the arc, and 66.4% from the free-throw line. On April 14, 2024 while with the Wizards, Omoruyi scored a career-high 26 points.
Prior to playing professionally, Omoruyi spent three seasons in college with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. He then transferred and played his senior season with the Oregon Ducks. Omoruyi was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team during his one year with Oregon.
The post Raptors Become First To Use 10-Day Contract In 2024-25 Season appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.