Toronto Raptors should take a gamble on this two-time NBA All-Star

The Toronto Raptors are one of just three NBA teams with two open roster spots less than a month before training camp, and there are some questions around the team's plans to fill them.

The biggest move of the summer for the Raptors front office was by far the now-pending blockbuster deal for two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard. The team also acquired another solid veteran forward in Kyle Anderson.

Even if the Leonard trade goes through, the Raptors will still need to sign one more player to a standard contract before the regular season begins to meet the NBA minimum 14-player roster rule. Toronto currently has 13.

One of those open spots could go to a former two-time NBA All-Star looking for another chance to prove he still has what it takes to play in the league.

In a recent Players' Tribune article, Victor Oladipo wrote an open letter to the league's 30 general managers, asking for someone to take a chance on the 34-year-old former Most Improved Player Award winner.

Victor Oladipo, twice an All-Star, pens an open letter to NBA GMs insisting at 34: "I believe I can be a valuable contributor to an NBA locker room. And what I'm asking for right now is an opportunity to prove it." https://t.co/cpEnRPiSwt

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) September 1, 2026

"I believe my body is finally right," Oladipo wrote. "I believe I still have GREAT (and more importantly WINNING) basketball in front of me. I believe I can be a valuable contributor to an NBA locker room. And what I'm asking for right now is an opportunity to prove it."

Oladipo hasn't played in the NBA in three seasons after suffering a torn patellar tendon in his left knee ahead of the 2022-23 playoffs. He did, however, return to playing basketball last season, playing 26 games for the Wisconsin Herd, Milwaukee's development team. The 6-foot-3 point guard averaged 13.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.

The Raptors have a young backcourt and could honestly use the help of a veteran guard off the bench behind Immanuel Quickley, especially given his injury history since being traded to Toronto midway through the 2023-24 season.

Last season, Toronto relied on young guards Jamal Shead and Ja'Kobe Walter when Quickley went down. While both players have a ton of potential on both ends of the floor, Oladipo's scoring presence could give the Raptors some flexibility at the position if injuries strike again.

Victor Oladipo guards former Toronto Raptors star Kyle Lowry at the 2019 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles. (Richard Mackson/USA TODAY Sports)

If Toronto were to give Oladipo a second chance, the team would have to sign him to a veteran-minimum deal because of its current salary-cap situation. 

The Raptors' trade for Leonard means Toronto will now take on more salary and approach the NBA first apron threshold, meaning they are hard-capped at $209 million and restricted from signing players via the regular-season waiver market or via trade. 

Since Oladipo is a free agent and not currently on an NBA roster, the first apron restrictions would not apply if the Raptors chose to pursue him.

Don't expect the Raptors to bite anytime soon.

Toronto will likely not make larger moves until the Leonard investigation is fully wrapped up. Still, Oladipo is an intriguing name for a team with a couple of open roster spots and a need for veteran depth.