A.J. Lawson signed a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors last week.
For Lawson it didn’t sink in until he stepped foot inside the OVO Athletic Centre, the Raptors’ practice facility on Monday for morning shootaround.
Lawson holds career averages of 3.4 points, 1.2 rebounds and 7.4 minutes in 57 career games with the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves over the last two seasons.
Now, he will get a chance to play for his hometown team the Raptors.
“It feels surreal. I just keep trying to take moments to myself to pray, thank God for the opportunity. I’m just super happy, super excited, and it’s a blessing. Just can’t wait to be out there on the court showing everybody what I got, Lawson told The Shift’s Kayla Grey.
The six-foot-six, guard averaged 24.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 35.1 minutes in 11 games (all starts) this season with the Long Island Nets, the G League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets, before inking a two-way deal with Toronto’s organization.
Lawson lined up for the national anthems beside his childhood friend RJ Barrett before the Raptors matchup against the Chicago Bulls. Both grew up in Mississauga, Ontario and played basketball together in middle and high school. Their ties also run deep with Canada Basketball.
“It means a lot. Just shows that all the hard work we put in as a kid is paying off. I mean, we’ve been dreaming about this moment since we was like, in middle school talking about the NBA and now we’re teammates in the NBA. What a blessing it is to be here,” Lawson said.
Lawson is likely to spend the majority of his time with the club’s G League affiliate Raptors 905, but could see playing time on the main roster if Immanuel Quickley, Scottie Barnes and Bruce Brown are sidelined for an extended period of time.
Bruce Brown linked to Lakers
Toronto Raptors guard Bruce Brown might be on the move at the trade deadline.
Recently, Brown’s name was linked to the Los Angeles Lakers as a potential landing spot, per The Athletic’s Jovan Buha.
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