Jerryd Bayless grateful for bigger role with the Toronto Raptors
Jerryd Bayless, who was recently acquired by the Toronto Raptors, is thankful for the opportunity that he has with his new team. Bayless, who was involved in a five-player trade between
the Raptors and the New Orleans Hornets that sent him and Peja Stojakovic to Toronto for Jarrett Jack, David Andersen and Marcus Banks, is anticipating a boost in minutes, something that he never received during his stints with the Portland Trail Blazers and
the New Orleans Hornets.
“I just want to be able to play basketball again, that’s the biggest thing,” Bayless told the Toronto Sun. “I want to grow with this team. I feel like the last couple of times I’ve been on
teams that are already established and I’m coming in trying to fight my way on. Fighting just to get even 30 seconds in a game. Here I can grow with a team that is already good and still growing with a chance to be very special. It’s an opportunity people
would die for.”
Played limited minutes
Bayless, who was drafted eleventh overall by the Indiana Pacers during the 2008 NBA draft, played limited minutes while figuring in reserve roles in Portland and New Orleans. As a member
of the Portland Trail Blazers last season, he averaged 8.5 points, 2.3 assists and 1.6 rebounds while shooting 41.4 percent from field goal range. Bayless, who divided his time between the point guard and shooting positions in Portland, played behind Trail
Blazers stars Andre Miller and Brandon Roy.
In the off-season, Bayless was dealt to the Hornets for a future first round pick. In 11 games for New Orleans this season, the former University of Arizona standout averaged 4.5 points and
2.5 assists while playing behind starter Marco Belinelli.
The 6'3" guard produced 13 points, two rebounds and two assists in his first game with the Raptors.
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