Toronto Raptors forwards Scottie Barnes and Precious Achiuwa have entered the NBA's health and safety protocols, bringing the team's total up to seven players, the team announced Tuesday.
Justin Champagnie is out now, too, with a non-COVID illness. David Johnson (calf), too. Dragic still away.
Khem Birch is questionable.
FVV, Barnes, Siakam, Trent, Banton, Flynn, Achiuwa all in protocols.
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) December 21, 2021
The Raptors are scheduled to play the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. ESPN's Wojnarowski says that Toronto is boarding a flight to Chicago and the game has yet to be postponed despite the outbreak.
The Raptors' list of players currently in protocol also includes: Fred VanVleet (Dec. 21), Malachi Flynn (Dec. 21), Gary Trent Jr. (Dec. 20), Pascal Siakam (Dec. 18) and Dalano Banton (Dec. 18).
The Raptors charter landed in Chicago earlier this afternoon with a 'bare minimum' crew of players, staff, and coaches. Any of the players in protocols or showing symptoms of illness were -- of course -- not on the flight. 1/
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) December 21, 2021
Of 16 players on (pre-COVID) roster, five are expected to be available for Wednesday night's game in Chicago: Anunoby, Mykhailiuk, Boucher, Watanabe and Bonga. Birch (knee) is questionable. Dragic is not with the team. Champagnie (non-COVID illness) and Johnson (calf) are out. /3
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) December 21, 2021
Raptors players Justin Champagnie (non-COVID illness), David Johnson (calf), Goran Dragic (not with team), are also out. Khem Birch (right knee swelling) is questionable for Wednesday's game.
In an effort to reduce the number of game disruptions caused by COVID-19, the league and NBPA have agreed to a temporary arrangement that allows teams to sign one player for every player that enters protocols and requires teams to sign players as the number of their own players in protocols mounts, without impacting the salary cap or luxury tax.
The Raptors have signed four players to 10-day contracts using the hardship exception so far: Point guard Tremont Waters, point guard Brandon Goodwin, power forward Juwan Morgan and Canadian Nik Stauskas.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Tuesday night the team also is signing forward D.J. Wilson on a 10-day hardship deal.
Barnes, a rookie of the year candidate, is averaging 15.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 49.4 per cent from the field this season.
Achiuwa previously entered protocols on Dec. 12 after having close contact with a positive case, but cleared soon after as he continued to test negative. The 22-year-old was a key returning piece in the Kyle Lowry trade with the Miami Heat and is averaging 8.4 points per game this season.
