Report: Raptors add Ellenson, invite 2 forwards to camp

The Toronto Raptors signed center Henry Ellenson to a lightly guaranteed two-year contract, a source told The Athletic's Blake Murphy.

Forwards Yuta Watanabe and Alize Johnson reportedly received training camp invites as well.

Only $50,000 of Ellenson's deal is guaranteed, according to Murphy, making the 23-year-old journeyman a relatively painless cut if he fails to crack the Raptors' main roster out of training camp.

Since being selected 18th overall by the Detroit Pistons in 2016, Ellenson has averaged four points and 2.4 rebounds in 9.2 minutes per game for his career - or 15.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per 36 minutes. The 23-year-old Marquette product has also appeared with the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets.

Watanabe, a 26-year-old native of Japan, made 33 appearances with the Memphis Grizzlies over the past two seasons in a deep reserve role. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 17.2 points, six rebounds, 1.9 assists, a steal, and a block with 36.4% shooting on long balls with the G League's Memphis Hustle in 2019-20.

Like Watanabe, Johnson was unable to land a consistent role at the NBA level with the Indiana Pacers last year but starred in the G League. The 24-year-old put up 20.3 points, 13 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.4 steals per game with Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

Training camps around the league start Dec. 1. Due to international travel restrictions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Raptors will play home games in Tampa to begin the season.