The Toronto Raptors have retained center Aaron Gray (27), who will likely make way in the starting-lineup for Lithuanian rookie Jonas Valanciunas.

Gray averaged 3.9ppg and 5.7rpg in an average of 16.6 minutes per game last season, and finished off the season starting most of the games at the five spot for Toronto since the end of January.

His stats aren’t bad for the amount of minutes he actually plays, but he is not more than a role player at the center position. He might come in handy though if Valanciunas has a tough time accustoming his game to the NBA, or if he hits the infamous rookie wall sometime during the 2012-13 season.

The Raps didn’t stop there, adding depth at the point guard position by signing John Lucas III who played an important role for the Bulls throughout Derrick Rose’s injury stretch last season. Adding the 5’11’’ point guard could end up triggering a trade to move Jose Calderon and his $10 million expiring contract out of Toronto.

Lucas returned to the NBA last season after spending three years oversees and came off the bench putting up career-high averages of 7.5ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.2apg. He also appeared in a career-best 49 games and showed that he can play big minutes off the bench.

His best performance of the year were these 24 points he had in a game against the Miami Heat on March 14th, 2012, when he went ham off the bench for 24 points on 9-for-12 shooting.

That’s how John Lucas III caught most people’s attention….or was it this one…?