As the dust settles on an electrifying summer league campaign in Las Vegas, attention for the Toronto Raptors quickly shifts toward a pivotal training camp in Calgary this September. While the team’s overarching roster construction remains fluid depending on impending trades, two standout performers have firmly captured the spotlight: Seth Lundy and Nate Bittle.
Aside from standout showings from Allen Graves, Lundy and Bittle were the unquestioned engines of Toronto’s summer squad. However, as both players prepare to vie for roster spots, they find themselves locked in entirely opposite ends of a fascinating structural debate. With open standard contracts and two-way designations hanging in the balance, the upcoming battle between wing depth and center scarcity promises intense drama.
Seth Lundy’s Uphill Battle Despite Vegas Brilliance
There is no denying that Seth Lundy put together a stellar audition in Las Vegas. Leading the Raptors in scoring with a blazing 20 points per game, the 6-foot-4 guard showcased an offensive toolkit that went far beyond his established reputation as a catch-and-shoot floor spacer. Along with 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.1 stocks (steals plus blocks), Lundy shot a blistering 43.8 percent from beyond the arc while flashily demonstrating newfound creation skills off the dribble.
Defensively, Lundy fits seamlessly into Darko Rajaković’s desired transition style. Utilizing his impressive 6-foot-10 wingspan, he pressures the point of attack effectively and disrupts passing lanes.
Yet, despite putting up numbers that in almost any other circumstance would lock down a guaranteed standard NBA contract, Lundy faces a massive uphill battle. The roadblock isn’t his talent—it’s Toronto’s glaring roster imbalance. With Collin Murray-Boyles currently serving as the lone traditional backup option behind starting center Jakob Poeltl, the franchise’s desperate need for interior size completely shifts the strategic priority.
Nate Bittle Holds the Interior Trump Card
While Lundy dazzled on the perimeter, Nate Bittle quietly anchored the paint with professional maturity and high-level basketball processing. Bittle proved he belongs in the NBA conversation by averaging 9.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and a phenomenal 2.8 blocks per game, all while matching Lundy’s 43.8 percent clip from deep on over four attempts a night.
That combination of rim protection, screen-setting, rebounding, and modern floor-spacing is exceptionally rare and desperately needed in Toronto. Because two-way contracts carry a strict limit of 50 regular-season appearances, keeping a wing like Lundy on a two-way deal while committing a standard roster spot to a much-needed center like Bittle makes logical front-office sense.
The Calgary Showdown Awaits
Both players are fully expected to report to training camp in Calgary at the end of September, but their paths to earning long-term security in Canada couldn’t be more different. For Bittle, maintaining consistent defensive habits and solidifying his role as a reliable backup five will likely secure his spot. For Lundy, the mission is much steeper: he must completely blow the doors off the gym to force the front office into prioritizing wing depth over positional necessity.
As the countdown to training camp begins, this internal rivalry stands out as one of the most compelling training camp storylines in the entire league.
Do you think the Raptors should prioritize wing scoring with Seth Lundy or frontcourt depth with Nate Bittle? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
