Raptors to Sign Will Barton, Waive Juan Hernangomez

The Raptors intend to sign veteran guard/forward Will Barton and waive forward Juancho Hernangomez, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Barton, 32, is 6-foot-6 and was recently released by the Wizards, then cleared waivers to become a free agent. He was acquired by the Wizards before the season in a trade with the Nuggets that also involved guard Monte Morris.

With Washington, Barton averaged 7.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 40 games — his lowest in each statistical category since the 2014-15 season.

Originally selected with the No. 40 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, he has spent the first three seasons of his career with the Trail Blazers.

“He feels like he’s still the player he was, he still thinks he could still be a prominent player in a reserve role,” Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report said the This League Uncut Podcast with Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Hernangomez, 27, is 6-9 and in his first season with the Raptors, with playing time proving to be limited. He originally signed with the Raptors in July after being waived by the Jazz a month earlier.

Hernangomez has also spent time with the Nuggets, Timberwolves, Celtics and Spurs. The fact that he’s being waived before March 1 makes him eligible for another team’s playoff roster.

Free agent G/F Will Barton is finalizing a deal with the Toronto Raptors, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 28, 2023