Toronto Raptors sign Otto Porter Jr. to multi-year contract
The Toronto Raptors have officially signed forward Otto Porter Jr. to a multi-year contract.
Porter was a key piece of the Golden State Warriors' championship squad this past season, averaging 5.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 19.5 minutes in 19 playoff games.
The deal was first reported last week, but the Raptors waited until Wednesday to introduce their newest signing to the media at the club's practice facility, the OVO Athletic Centre in Toronto.
The six-foot-eight forward wasted no time in appealing to Raptors fans. As he took the first question, he immediately began singing Toronto’s praises.
“I love the city," said Porter, who cited his experience playing the Raptors during his years with the Washington Wizards, as well as the fact that his wife is from Toronto. “It just made sense.”
The signing made a lot of sense for the Raptors as well.
Porter fits right into the on-court vision of the Raptors' front office, who have built a team with players of his length and skill in mind.
“I think with this team, we’re capable of going very far in the playoffs. With this team, we’re capable of going back to the Finals,” said Porter, who boasts a 73-inch wingspan “This core grew up together … the older guys won a championship here, they’ve been there they’ve done it.”
The NBA veteran also shot 37 per cent from three-point range for the Warriors in 2022, mainly in a bench role. That long-range touch, plus his dogged defence, made him a coveted piece for Toronto this off-season.
“We believe that Otto — who understands what it takes to be an NBA champion — is a great addition to the Raptors," general manager Bobby Webster said in a statement. “He’s a versatile defender and high-level shooter who fits well with our team both on and off the court.”
A native of St. Louis, Porter has averaged 10.6 points and 5.1 rebounds in his career.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 6, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
'He's in our hearts': Family and friends still seek answers one year after Nathan Wise’s disappearance
It’s been a year since Nathan Wise went missing and his family is no closer to finding out what happened to him.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Mother's Day movies that pull at ALL the heartstrings
This Mother's Day Weekend, take a look at some of the most emotional movies inspired by moms.
Suspect sought after fatal slashing in downtown Toronto
Police are searching for a suspect in a homicide investigation after a man was slashed in downtown Toronto on Sunday.
Edibles, armchairs and adapters: Here are the recalls for this week
Health Canada announced various product recalls this week, including electric adapters, armchairs, cannabis edibles and vehicle components.
Putin replaces Russian defence minister in rare cabinet shakeup
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin began a Cabinet shakeup on Sunday, proposing the replacement of Sergei Shoigu as defence minister as he begins his fifth term in office.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.