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Toronto Raptors: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson inks one-year contract

By Austin Owens

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 18: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson #24 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts in the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers during game three of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on April 18, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 18: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson #24 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts in the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers during game three of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on April 18, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri has made another solid signing, adding Rondae Hollis-Jefferson to the squad.

The Toronto Raptors have added a second small forward in as many days, agreeing to a one-year deal with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Hollis-Jefferson was taken by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 23rd overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, however, he would be sent to the Brooklyn Nets that night along with Steve Blake in exchange for Pat Connaughton and Mason Plumlee.

The 24-year-old played his college ball with the Arizona Wildcats and was on the same team as Stanley Johnson, who the Raptors signed to a two-year contract on Saturday.

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He helped the Nets make it into the postseason this past year, contributing 8.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while averaging 20.9 minutes a night.

The Los Angeles Lakers were also reportedly in the running to land Hollis-Jefferson, but he opted to try his luck with the Raptors rather than play behind LeBron James.

A one-year deal offers him the chance to show off his abilities and, in a best-case scenario, cash in next summer.

The biggest area of his game that needs improvement is his shooting. While Hollis-Jefferson is a career 46 percent shooter from the field, he’s only been hitting at a 22.3 percent clip in his first four years in the Association. He’s a solid defender with length, and that’ll make him extremely valuable to Raptors head coach Nick Nurse.

With OG Anunoby and Johnson already in the rotation, it’ll be interesting to see what Nurse does with all of his new options. With Fred VanVleet likely to see time at the two with Kyle Lowry manning the point, Hollis-Jefferson could be used if they try to put out a bigger lineup.

At the very least, he’s a young player who defends well and can learn under the Raptors’ coaching staff. The additions of both Hollis-Jefferson and Johnson should give the Raps some added insurance on the defensive side of the ball, and if they can improve their shooting, these signings will look all the more exciting.

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What do you think of the signing? Where do you think Hollis-Jefferson will slot into the Raptors’ lineup next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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