The Toronto Raptors are still waiting for the Kawhi Leonard trade to become official, but Bobby Webster is already working through the back end of the roster.
One of the latest additions is former second-round pick Andre Jackson Jr., who agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract with Toronto after spending the first three seasons of his career with the Milwaukee Bucks. Jackson arrives with a clear calling card: he can defend on the ball. The problem, as one Bucks observer put it, is that the offense has never really come along.
Dalton Sell, who covers the Bucks for Behind the Buck Pass, did not sound like someone expecting a breakout. He compared Jackson to a player known more for disappearing on offense than taking over it.
"[Jackson is a] good defender with great athleticism, but he has Ben Simmons’ confidence on offense and only goes for putback dunks," Sell said. " [He] shoots the occasional three and can hit them, but passes them up a lot."
That’s the kind of scouting report Toronto has heard before. The Raptors have made a habit under Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster of taking chances on players who can guard multiple positions but come with real questions on the other end. Scottie Barnes and OG Anunoby stand out as success stories in that mold, but the list also includes names like Precious Achiuwa and Justin Champagnie.
Jackson’s Milwaukee run showed both sides of the equation. He started 43 games in the 2024-25 season, but his 3.4 points per game and the eventual loss of that starting job pointed to the same issue that has followed him: the defense is useful, but the offense can drag him out of a rotation.
For now, Jackson joins a group that also includes center prospect Nate Bittle and former Michigan combo guard Nimauri Burnett, all on Exhibit 10 deals that often lead to a spot with Raptors 905 in the G League. Even if his NBA ceiling looks limited, Jackson should have a chance to stand out there.
Toronto still has two open roster spots once training camp arrives, with Chucky Hepburn, Trey Jamison, and second-round pick Jaden Bradley on two-way contracts after Alijah Martin signed a standard NBA deal. That leaves at least a path for Jackson to make noise if he has the kind of camp that changes minds.
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