Former Raptors 2nd-Round Pick Signs Preseason Deal with Memphis Grizzlies

Former Toronto Raptors second-round pick David Johnson has signed a new deal.

The 22-year-old guard joined the Memphis Grizzlies, the team announced Wednesday on what is believed to be an Exhibit 10 deal. He’ll likely be waived by Memphis and be assigned to the Memphis Hustle when the G League season tips off.

Johnson was selected with the 47^th pick by Toronto in the 2021 NBA Draft, one pick after Dalano Banton. He battled injuries throughout his time in the Raptors organization and was never able to prove himself to the organization. He appeared in just two games for the Raptors in 2021-22 and did not register a point.

Toronto did re-sign him last season to an Exhibit 10 deal to retain his G League rights with the 905. He was eventually traded to Memphis in a G League deal.

Johnson’s failure to make an impact for the Raptors isn’t all that surprising considering he was a mid-second-round pick. That said, it’s been a while since Toronto flexed its developmental prowess and found a second-round diamond in the round. Banton left the organization this past summer. Christian Koloko, a 2022 second-round pick, is out indefinitely with reparatory issues. Jalen Harris, the team’s 2020 second-round pick, was suspended and then waived by Toronto. Dewan Hernandez, Toronto’s 2019 second-round pick, didn’t pan out either.

Toronto didn’t have a second-round pick this past draft and doesn’t own its second-round pick in 2024 or 2025. It likely won’t be until 2026 that the Raptors make their next second-round draft selection.