The Toronto Raptors have made a series of decisive, high-stakes roster moves as head coach Darko Rajaković finalizes his 15-man group ahead of Wednesday night’s regular-season opener at Scotiabank Arena against the Chicago Bulls.
In an official news release on Saturday afternoon, Toronto announced that it has waived five players while converting the contract of 7-foot center Nate Bittle into a coveted two-way deal.
The sudden roster purge comes directly on the heels of Toronto’s intense preseason schedule, signaling the front office’s commitment to building a deep, highly competitive unit around superstars Kawhi Leonard, Scottie Barnes, and RJ Barrett.
Nate Bittle Earns Two-Way Promotion
The headline move of Saturday’s transaction wire is the promotion of Oregon standout Nate Bittle, whose impressive training camp display earned him a two-way contract slot for the 2026/27 campaign.
A 7-foot big man hailing from Central Point, Oregon, Bittle established himself as a dominant frontline force during his fifth-year senior season with the Ducks:
- Scoring Production: Led Oregon with a team-high 16.8 points per game.
- Glass Cleaning: Averaged 6.9 rebounds per contest across 25 games.
- Rim Protection: Provided vertical length and interior paint presence that caught the eye of Toronto’s scouting staff.
By securing Bittle on a two-way deal, the Raptors gain valuable frontcourt insurance behind starting center Jakob Poeltl and backup reserves Collin Murray-Boyles and Trayce Jackson-Davis.
Five Players Waived as Roster Cuts Claim Big-Name Prospects
To open up roster spots and meet the NBA’s mandatory regular-season limits, Toronto parted ways with five camp invitees who failed to secure guaranteed positioning.
The list of waived players includes:
- Tyson Degenhart (Forward): High-energy forward who spent the preseason fighting for depth minutes.
- Jamarion Sharp (Center): The towering 7-foot-5 fan favorite center whose defensive length made headlines during summer workouts.
- Nimari Burnett (Guard): Sharpshooting guard option waived amidst heavy backcourt competition.
- Jalen Celestine (Guard): Perimeter depth piece released prior to opening night.
- Tyreke Key (Guard): Hard-nosed guard cut following Toronto’s final preseason game against New York.
While parting with a unique physical prospect like the 7-foot-5 Jamarion Sharp was a difficult call for management, Toronto opted for Bittle’s mobility and offensive floor-spacing potential.
Countdown to Opening Night at Scotiabank Arena
With the roster officially trimmed, all eyes now turn to Wednesday night’s home showdown against the Chicago Bulls.
With Kawhi Leonard returning to full match fitness alongside Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett, Rajaković’s squad enters the 82-game regular-season marathon with massive ambitions in the Eastern Conference.
Saturday’s roster adjustments ensure that Toronto enters opening night with a lean, defensively sound group capable of hitting the ground running in front of a packed Toronto crowd.
