The Toronto Raptors are not having the type of season they were hoping for. After Monday’s loss to the New York Knicks, they fell to 7-18. That is the fourth-worst record in the NBA and second-worst in the Eastern Conference (only better than the Washington Wizards). To make matters worse, their best player, Scottie Barnes, seems to have suffered a serious injury in that Knicks game. There is not yet a timetable for his return as of this writing.
While the Raptors are just three games out of a play-in position, players could be dealt from the team by the trade deadline. The latter part of the season could see Toronto trying to further develop their young players. On Tuesday, the Raptors added A.J. Lawson on a two-way deal. Earlier in the day, they released D.J. Carton from his two-way contract.
Raptors Waive Two-Way Player, Add Another Player
A.J. Lawson Joins Raptors On Two-Way Deal
The 6-foot-6 Lawson is joining Toronto on a two-way deal. The 24-year-old shooting guard went undrafted out of South Carolina in the 2021 NBA Draft. He signed with the Atlanta Hawks in the 2021 offseason, but the team released him prior to the regular season tipping off.
In July of 2022, Lawson would join the Minnesota Timberwolves on a two-way deal. Again, he was released from his deal prior to the regular season but re-joined on another two-way in November. Lawson got to appear in one game for the Timberwolves for two minutes before he was again waived a few weeks later.
Right before New Year’s 2023, Lawson agreed to a two-way deal with the Dallas Mavericks. Dallas became the first team to allow Lawson to stay for some time. He appeared in 14 games for the Mavericks in 2022-23 and another 42 last season.
In his 42 outings in 2024-25 where he played 7.4 minutes per contest, Lawson posted averages of 3.2 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.5 assists. He shot 44.6% from the field, 26.0% from beyond the arc, and 65.2% from the foul line. Lawson got to play in the 2024 NBA Finals as the Mavericks were Western Conference champions. He received action in two games (11 minutes) in the finals and scored two points.
D.J. Carton Waived From Raptors
In order to have a two-way spot open for Lawson, another had to be released from theirs. Unfortunately for Carton, he was the player that was waived. Now 24 years old, Carton went undrafted out of Marquette in the 2021 NBA Draft.
It took some time, but Carton was able to make his NBA debut last season with the Raptors. The 6-2 guard came to the Raptors on a 10-day contract on February 21 and played in his first NBA game a day later. Toronto signed Carton to a two-way deal once the 10-day one expired.
After playing in four games for the Raptors to end the 2023-24 season, Carton also played in four contests with them this season prior to being waived. In 69 total minutes in his eight appearances, Carton totaled 14 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and three steals.
The Raptors next play on Thursday on the road against the Miami Heat.
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