NBA’s Toronto Raptors waive former Kansas Jayhawks guard Svi Mykhailiuk
Former University of Kansas guard Svi Mykhailiuk has been waived by the NBA’s Toronto Raptors, several outlets reported Monday.
The transaction, revealed first by Shams Charania of The Athletic, was made ahead of the Sept. 27 start of Raptors training camp to make room for guard Jalen Harris. TSN Canada reports that Harris was recently reinstated by the NBA after serving a one-year suspension regarding a positive drug test.
The Raptors, TSN repored, hold Harris’ rights as a restricted free agent. Toronto, with Mykhailiuk on the roster, had previously been at the maximum 20 players allowed heading into training camp.
Mykhailiuk, a 25-year-old fifth-year pro, in June exercised his $1.9 million player option for the upcoming season.
He will be paid that money by the Raptors unless he’s claimed by another team.
The 6-foot-8 native of Cherkasy, Ukraine is now a free agent who can sign with any team. Mykhailiuk averaged 4.6 points and 1.6 rebounds in 56 appearances last season for the Raptors. He shot a career-low 30.6% from three in 2021-22. His career best mark was 40.4% from three as a member of the Detroit Pistons in 2019-20.
“On merit, it’s not a huge shock to see the Raptors move on from the former Lakers second-rounder. Mykhailiuk averaged just 4.6 points a game across 56 appearances in 2021-22, playing just 12.8 minutes a night and shooting under 31% from three-point range,” wrote Sean Woodley of raptorshq.com.
“That is a problem for a guy branded as a shooter coming into the year, despite him never really having much success from long range at any of his NBA stops save for one chunk of a season in Detroit. After looking like a sure bet to earn rotation minutes during a strong preseason last fall, he never recaptured the flashes of second-side creation he conjured before the games started to matter,” Woodley added.
The former second-round draft pick (2018) has played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Detroit Pistons, Oklahoma City Thunder and Toronto Raptors.
Playing time likely would have been an issue for Mykhailiuk in Toronto this season. He finished last season behind Gary Trent Jr., Scottie Barnes, OG Anunoby on the Raptors’ depth chart. Mykhailiuk is currently playing for Ukraine’s national team at the FIBA World Cup European qualifying tournament.
This story was originally published August 29, 2022 at 3:57 PM with the headline "NBA’s Toronto Raptors waive former Kansas Jayhawks guard Svi Mykhailiuk."
