The Toronto Raptors have one final two-way spot to hand out, and the decision goes beyond simply plugging a hole on the roster. If Toronto is going to use that space well, the team should be chasing a player who can bring a real NBA skill, still has room to grow, and has a believable route to helping down the line.
A few names fit that brief, and each brings something different to the table.
John Poulakidas looks like the cleanest fit if Toronto wants a shooter who can stretch the floor right away. The 6-foot-6 guard played at Yale before going undrafted in 2025, then turned heads with Dallas by averaging 8.8 points and 2.3 rebounds in 13 regular-season appearances while hitting 40.3 percent of his threes.
He was even sharper across 24 regular-season G League games, where he shot 47.3 percent from beyond the arc before joining Dallas. The Mavericks waived him on October 17.
That kind of perimeter touch matters for a Raptors team that can use another player defenses have to account for at the arc. Shooting opens the floor for the team’s main creators, creates cleaner driving lanes and gives the offense another outlet when the paint gets crowded. Poulakidas would still have to prove he can hold up in other areas, especially defensively and as a playmaker, but the shooting is real, and it jumps off the page.
Bez Mbeng brings a completely different appeal. The Yale product made his name with effort, defensive instincts and pressure on the ball, and he has the kind of energy that can bother opposing guards.
He also brings ball movement that could fit with Coach Darko Rajakovic’s system on both ends. The issue is the offensive side.
Toronto would need to see major progress in his shooting and his ability to create against stronger competition before he could realistically earn minutes now. Even so, Mbeng is a player the Raptors should strongly consider for the spot.
Keba Keita is the big-man option in the mix. The 6-foot-8 center spent time at Utah and BYU, and in his final college season he put up 6.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 68 percent from the field. His value comes from rebounding, rim protection and finishing around the basket, traits that could make him a useful frontcourt developmental piece through the Raptors 905 system.
There’s still plenty he has to prove. Keita would need his defensive instincts and physical tools to carry over against better competition, and his offense remains a work in progress. But he is a spectacular vertical athlete who is remarkably strong, and the upside is there for him to grow into something like a Quincy Acy-like role in the future.
Milos Uzan is another guard worth keeping in the conversation, especially if Toronto wants playmaking and a winning style of play. The former Houston guard averaged 11.1 points and 4.0 assists per game in his final college season, posting a 3.08 assist-to-turnover ratio while shooting 34.3 percent from three-point range. He also signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Boston Celtics before being waived on October 17.
Uzan’s passing and decision-making give him a foundation, and his ability to organize an offense could make him an intriguing developmental piece. The question is whether his jumper becomes reliable enough to translate to NBA minutes, and he would also need to keep sharpening his defensive consistency. If Toronto is looking for a young guard who can run the G League program this season, Uzan is at least in the conversation.
Of the four, Poulakidas should be the Raptors’ top target for the remaining two-way slot. Mbeng is the strongest alternative thanks to his defensive edge and point-of-attack pressure. In different ways, each player offers Toronto a distinct blend of upside, function and development potential.
In Other News...
Raptors Just Sent A Strong Message About Nate Bittle
After trimming five players from the roster in the wake of their final preseason game, the Raptors made one of their clearest developmental statements by converting Nate Bittles Exhibit 10 deal into a two-way contract. Even with Bittle sidelined for the preseason because of injury, the move signaled that Toronto sees real value in the big man and wants to keep him in the fold as it builds out the back end of the roster.
For a team that could use more depth behind Jakob Poeltl, Bittle fits the kind of long-term project worth patience. His college track record and Summer League showing point to a player who can score around the rim and, at times, step out for a three, which gives Toronto a look at a developmental center with a more modern offensive profile. The injury kept him from taking part in the preseason, but the organizations decision suggests his runway with the Raptors is just getting started. [Read more 🡒]
Spurs Suddenly Face A Real De'Aaron Fox Fit Question
The Spurs push to rework their roster has created a question worth watching from a Raptors angle, especially with San Antonio weighing how its current pieces fit around a Finals-level core. Internally, the organization reportedly views Dylan Harper as its second-best player, a sign that the front office is already sorting out where the major priorities lie as it looks toward the bigger picture.
DeAaron Fox has naturally become part of that discussion, and Toronto has surfaced in speculation as a possible trade destination if San Antonio decides to reshuffle its backcourt. The rumored framework would send RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley the other way, but nothing has been finalized, which leaves the Raptors potential role in any Fox move very much in the realm of what-ifs for now. [Read more 🡒]
Raptors Season May Come Down To These 3 Unsettled Questions
As the Raptors get ready for their season opener against the Bulls, a lot of the conversation around this group still circles back to the same bigger-picture questions. Kawhi Leonards health and availability loom over everything, especially with Toronto needing clarity on what kind of load he can realistically carry. At the same time, Jakob Poeltls presence at center remains important because the team is still sorting out how much his role can stabilize the frontcourt.
Scottie Barnes is the other major piece in the discussion, and his development will shape how high this team can climb in the East. Toronto does not just need him to be productive, it needs him to keep growing into the kind of player who can anchor the offense and raise the groups ceiling. If those three situations break the right way, the Raptors have a path to being much more than a team trying to tread water early in the season. [Read more 🡒]