Toronto Raptors sign NBA champ and free agent forward Porter Jr, source says
The Toronto Raptors have signed forward Otto Porter Jr., who was a key member of the Golden State Warriors' NBA championship team.
The two-year deal was first reported by Yahoo Sports, and confirmed to The Canadian Press by a source close to negotiations.
The 29-year-old Porter averaged 8.2 points per game this past season. He's a tenacious defender and solid long-range shooter, with a career average of 39.8 per cent from behind the arc.
Porter was selected third overall by Washington in the 2013 draft, and played the first six seasons of his career there before being traded to Chicago in 2019. Orlando then acquired him at the 2021 trade deadline, and he signed with the Warriors in the 2021 off-season.
The Raptors have been busy since free agency opened at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, signing Canadian forward Chris Boucher to a three-year deal, and signing veteran forward Thaddeus Young to a multi-year contract extension.
Boucher, a six-foot-nine centre from Montreal, agreed to a three-year deal worth US$35.25 million, which was first reported by ESPN. Boucher posted a personal Raptors highlight reel on his Instagram account Thursday night with "Toronto is Home" and "Toronto, I'm Back!"
He averaged 9.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game last season, and 11.2 points and 5.8 rebounds in six playoff games against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Toronto acquired Young, a six-foot-eight, 235-pound native of New Orleans, on trade deadline day in February as part of a package that included disgruntled Goran Dragic and the Raptors' first-round pick, in exchange for Young, San Antonio's second-round pick and the since-waived Drew Eubanks.
Young averaged 6.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 26 games for the Raptors. He averaged 3.3 points, three rebounds and 1.7 assists over six games in Toronto's first-round playoff loss to Philadelphia, in which he saw his minutes limited by a thumb sprain.
The 34-year-old has played 15 seasons in the NBA after being picked 12th overall by Philadelphia in the 2007 draft. He holds career averages of 12.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 29.3 minutes in 1,085 games (711 starts) with Philadelphia, Minnesota, Brooklyn, Indiana, Chicago, San Antonio and Toronto.
"Thad is a high-level professional who complements our core very well, he integrated himself into the fabric of the team last season and we're excited he chose to re-sign here in Toronto," Raptors general manager Bobby Webster said in a statement.
"He is a smart and versatile player who will continue to provide valuable leadership to our younger players on the court and in the locker room."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 1, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Dozens of U.S. deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police
The practice of giving sedatives to people detained by police has spread quietly across the U.S. over the last 15 years, built on questionable science and backed by police-aligned experts, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.