2021 NBA Summer League: Toronto Raptors standout performers, best highlights and roster updates

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Scottie Barnes, Malachi Flynn, Toronto Raptors Summer League.jpeg

The Toronto Raptors finished the Las Vegas Summer League with a 4-1 record.

Take a look at some of Toronto's standout performers and can't-miss highlights, as well as some roster news as Summer League draws to a conclusion.

Takeaways from Toronto Raptors Summer League

Standout performers

Scottie Barnes

Summer League averages: 15.5 PTS (.412/.273/.739), 6.8 REB, 3.3 AST, 2.0 BLK, 1.0 STL

Barnes shined in his Summer League debut, had a few up-and-down performances with some bright spots over the next two games, then closed Summer League with a bang.

He went for a double-double in his first professional game, finishing with 18 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a win over the New York Knicks. He struggled from the field in the second game against the Golden State Warriors, but got to the free throw line 12 times, flashing an aggressiveness to his offensive game that he didn't always display in his one lone season at Florida State. Those shooting struggles continued in the third game against the Houston Rockets, but Barnes' defensive prowess really presented itself, coming away with five blocks and a steal to still make an impact despite only score eight points. In the closing win over the Hornets, Barnes put forth his best scoring effort, going for 23 points (18 of which came in the second half to mount a comeback), closed out by a game-tying dunk with 20 seconds remaining to help the Raptors come away with a win.

All-in-all, it was a promising showing from the No. 4 overall pick. He displayed every strength of his game and attitude mentioned during the pre-draft process, but also showed room for growth in other areas as he spends the next month preparing for training camp.

Malachi Flynn

Summer League averages: 16.8 PTS (.407/.414/.778), 5.3 REB, 3.0 AST, 1.5 STL

After one full season in the NBA, Flynn came into his first-ever Summer League with the confidence of a second-year player who started to get comfortable on the floor at the end of his rookie campaign.

He looked a step quicker off the dribble, flashing some shot creation improvements with a tighter handle and a few new moves in his arsenal. He knocked down 3s in a variety of ways, whether it be off the bounce, off the catch or coming off of screens, converting 41.4 percent of his attempts (12-29 3PT).

Flynn was looking to score above all else, but still looked sharp in pick-and-rolls and making reads in transition. He had two games with only one assist but closed things strong with a near-triple-double effort of 15 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in the team's final win.

With Kyle Lowry moving on to the Miami Heat, Flynn looks poised to take on a bulk of those minutes at the point guard position, depending on what happens with Goran Dragic. 

Precious Achiuwa

Summer League averages: 16.7 PTS (.600/.500/.353), 7.3 REB, 1.3 BLK, 1.0 STL

Achiuwa joined the Raptors' Summer League squad a game late as Toronto and Miami were still working out the details on the Lowry deal, but his presence was felt once he took the floor.

Achiuwa's versatility was on full display, as well as his potential as a small-ball rim protector for what should be a very fast and athletic Raptors' roster.

He had a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds in his debut, then impressed with an efficient 19 points – including an uncharacteristic pair of 3-pointers – to go with two steals and two blocks. He recorded at least one block in all three contests and was full of highlight-reel dunks, finishing inside with ease. Achiuwa's biggest flaw was by far his free throw shooting, going 6-for-17 (35.3%) in three exhibition games, something he'll have to improve on as a physical finisher inside.

His performances should have Raptors fans encouraged by adding a 21-year-old with Achiuwa's upside in the Lowry trade.

Ishmail Wainright

Summer League averages: 8.0 PTS, 5.7 REB, 2.7 STL, 1.0 AST, 1.0 BLK

Wainright's statistical averages may not stand out, but the Raptors didn't sign him to a partially guaranteed deal for gaudy scoring numbers or counting stats. What should stick out to you is his 2.3 steals per game, which ranked seventh in Summer League among players who appeared in more than one contest.

Wainright was a lockdown defender, flashing his ability to guard any position on the floor because of his strength and quickness. At 6-foot-5, 235 pounds with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, there is no assignment the 26-year-old cannot handle.

On the offensive end, he didn't shoot efficiently as a whole, but his one breakout performance against the Warriors gave some hope. He finished with a team-high 20 points in a complete stat line with seven rebounds, four steals, two blocks and two assists while shooting 4-for-6 from 3-point range.

If he can knock down the occasional 3-ball and get scrappy points inside, that should be enough for Wainright to get a crack at making the roster because of how tough he is defensively.

Must-see highlights

Scottie Barnes' hustle, energy and high IQ on display.

Like the caption says... look at the confidence of Malachi Flynn.

Impressive defensive play from Precious Achiuwa to slide his feet with top-10 pick Jonathan Kuminga, absorb the contact and come away with a block.

Freddie Gillespie said no sir.

A little shake-and-bake from Scottie Barnes.

Precious Achiuwa throws it down on someone's head.

Dalano Banton is classified as a 6-foot-9 point guard for a reason.

Precious Achiuwa at it again.

Malachi Flynn to the rack.

Scottie Barnes with the game-tying bucket that set up the completed comeback victory.

Roster news updates

The Raptors are up to 18 players for their training camp roster.

As NBA.com's Gilbert McGregor broke it down, they have 11 players on guaranteed contracts following the signing of second-round pick Dalano Banton. They have five players on partially guaranteed deals, with two other players on two-way deals to round out the current roster.

The deals are as follows:

Listed in alphabetical order.

Guaranteed: Precious Achiuwa, OG Anunoby, Dalano Banton, Scottie Barnes, Khem Birch, Chris Boucher, Goran Dragic, Malachi Flynn, Gary Trent Jr., Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet

Partially Guaranteed: Isaac Bonga, Sam Dekker, Freddie Gillespie, Ishmail Wainright, Yuta Watanabe

Two-way: Justin Champagnie, David Johnson

The Raptors still have two more available roster spots, as teams can head into training camp with 20 players on their roster.

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Author(s)
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Kyle Irving is an NBA content producer for The Sporting News.