The Toronto Raptors have signed third-year guard Jahmi’us Ramsey to a second 10-day contract, after playing four games with the team since signing his initial contract on March 4. Unless using a 10-day contractual hardship exception, this is the last deal Ramsey can sign with Toronto before having to be fired or sign a deal for the remainder of the season.
In his first four games with the Raptors, Ramsey averaged 15.5 minutes and 5.3 points along with 3.8 rebounds. He struggled to find a shooting rhythm, making two threes in 11 attempts during his first 10-day contract. But the Raptors saw enough, especially defensively, to give him another opportunity.
Ramsey spoke about what it means to him to get another chance with the Raptors and what it’s been like being a part of the organization so far, via Lindsay Dunn of City News Toronto:
“It’s been really good. Toronto is very friendly, therefore very welcoming. It did me good.
“Coach told me on the bus after the game in Detroit. I was just excited. I was ready to move on to seize the opportunity. I’m just ready to make the most of it.
Ramsey’s most exciting moment with the Raptors so far was a windmill dunk against the Detroit Pistons. He talked about that moment and how he always took opportunities to show off his athleticism:
“The windmill? I’ve been doing this since high school. If I get a break, either that or off the backboard, but the windmill is getting more and more confident to do it here. So whenever I get a break, it’s probably my choice.
The Raptors are dealing with numerous injuries to key players, and while that means the 2023-24 season no longer has competitive value, it does have meaning for players like Ramsey. This is the perfect opportunity to show what he can do on the NBA stage. And now he has 10 days left to do it.
Raptors still in contention with Grizzlies for sixth-worst record
The focus for the Raptors — who were once trying to make the Play-In Tournament — has turned to trying to hold on to their 2024 first-round pick.
If Toronto finishes the season with the sixth-worst record in the league, they would have a 45.8 percent chance of retaining the title. top-six protected pick as part of the Jakob Poeltl deal with the San Antonio Spurs.
In the event that the Raptors and Grizzlies are tied for the sixth-worst record at the end of the season, a coin toss will decide which team finishes with the sixth-best odds in the draft lottery.
If the Raptors remain the seventh-worst team in the league, Toronto would only have a 32 percent chance of retaining its pick.
