The Raptors will waive Fernando on Tuesday, Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Fernando's $2.43 million contract is set to become fully guaranteed Tuesday, but rather than retaining the center for the rest of the season, the Raptors prefer to have flexibility with their final roster spot and are expected to cycle in players on 10-day contracts, according to Grange. The 26-year-old hasn't been a fixture in the rotation for much of the season, appearing in just 17 of the team's 36 games while averaging 3.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 8.5 minutes per contest. According to Eurohoops.net, Fernando is expected to be pursued by Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahce Beko once he clears waivers, though he could stick around in the NBA if other teams show interest in bringing him aboard as a backup center.
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Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Available to play
Rotowire
Fernando (toe) is available to play Tuesday against Boston, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.
Fernando has been sidelined since Dec. 12, but he was a fringe rotation player prior to the injury. There's no guarantee he will see the floor Tuesday, but the Raptors are pretty shorthanded which helps his case.
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Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Iffy to face Boston
Rotowire
Fernando (toe) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Celtics, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Fernando hasn't suited up since Dec. 12 due to the toe injury. However, his potential absence Tuesday shouldn't affect any fantasy decisions, as he has averaged only 8.9 minutes per contest over 16 regular-season appearances.
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Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Out Sunday
Rotowire
Fernando (toe) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Hawks, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Fernando hasn't made an NBA appearance since Dec. 12, when he logged just two minutes. His absence won't impact Toronto's rotation.
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Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Iffy against Atlanta
Rotowire
Fernando is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Hawks due to a toe injury, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Fernando hasn't made an NBA appearance since Dec. 12, when he logged just two minutes. Even if Fernando is ruled out, his potential absence won't impact Toronto's rotation.
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Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Returning to bench Monday
Rotowire
Fernando is not in the Raptors' starting lineup for Monday's game against the Bulls, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Fernando was a late addition to the Raptors' starting lineup Thursday due to Jakob Poeltl dealing with back spasms. However, Poeltl ended up playing in that game and played 27 minutes off the bench while Fernando was limited to just two minutes of playing time. Fernando likely won't see much playing time off Toronto's bench behind Poeltl and Kelly Olynyk.
Fernando will start over Jakob Poeltl (back spasms) in Thursday's game against the Heat, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Poeltl was a late scratch and has been downgraded to doubtful, meaning his chances of seeing the floor Thursday are very slim. Fernando should see plenty of minutes at center, with Chris Boucher also expected to see an expanded role off the bench.
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Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Won't start Saturday
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Fernando is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Mavericks, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Fernando will return to his regular bench role after making a spot start against the Thunder on Dec. 5, notching four points, seven rebounds, two blocks, an assist and a steal across 19 minutes in a 129-92 loss. With Jakob Poeltl available and ready to handle his regular workload, Fernando isn't expected to see significant minutes off the bench against Dallas.
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Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Getting chance with starters
Rotowire
Fernando will start Thursday night's game against the Thunder, Aaron Rose of SI.com reports.
Fernando is in line for an opportunity at center after news broke that Jakob Poeltl (illness) wouldn't suit up. This marks Fernando's first start of the 2024-25 campaign, and he should shoulder a heavier workload after averaging only 8.6 minutes through his first 14 appearances of the season.
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Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Strong play off bench
Rotowire
Fernando racked up nine points (4-7 FG, 1-2 FT), four rebounds and five assists across 14 minutes during Monday's 102-100 loss to the Pistons.
Fernando set season-best marks in points and assists, doing all his damage in just 14 minutes. He's had a very quiet season so far, but he could become an intriguing streamer if Jakob Poeltl misses time at any point this season.
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Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Available Sunday
Rotowire
Fernando (ankle) is available for Sunday's game against the Cavaliers, Aaron Rose of SI.com reports.
Fernando missed the last two games due to a right ankle sprain, but he will return to action Sunday. His availability figures to have a limited impact on the rotation as he's averaged just 9.1 minutes per contest in 11 appearances this season.
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Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Questionable for Sunday
Rotowire
Fernando (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Cavaliers, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Fernando is in danger of missing his third straight contest Sunday due to a sprained left ankle. The 26-year-old big man is averaging 3.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 9.1 minutes across his 11 appearances this season.
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Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Won't play Thursday
Rotowire
Fernando (ankle) will not play Thursday against Minnesota.
Fernando will miss his second game in a row. He's been a fringe rotation player for the Raptors, so his absence won't carry many fantasy implications.
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Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Out for Monday
Rotowire
Fernando (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Pacers, Aaron Rose of SI.com reports.
Fernando sustained a right ankle sprain in the second quarter of Saturday's loss to Boston, though he was able to play through the injury. The 26-year-old big man's next chance to suit up will come Thursday against the Timberwolves.
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Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Available to return Saturday
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Fernando (ankle) is available to return to Saturday's game against the Celtics, Jared Weiss of The Athletic reports.
Fernando left in the second quarter of Saturday's game after rolling his right ankle. However, he's back on the Raptors' bench for the second half and is available to check back into the game.
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Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Leaves game with ankle injury
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Fernando went to the locker room in the second quarter of Saturday's game against the Celtics due to a right ankle injury, Kayla Grey of TSN reports.
Fernando rolled his right ankle while attempting to grab a defensive rebound midway through the second quarter of Saturday's game. The good news was he was able to limp to the locker room under his own power, though it's unclear if he will be able to return to Saturday's contest. Jonathan Mogbo and Chris Boucher should see more minutes while Fernando is sidelined.
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Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Career-best night on glass
Rotowire
Fernando notched eight points (4-9 FG), 13 rebounds, two assists and two blocks over 18 minutes off the bench during Tuesday's 99-85 loss to Milwaukee.
The 13 boards were a career high for the journeyman big, who is on his fourth team in six NBA seasons. Fernando doesn't see consistent minutes in the Toronto frontcourt and has little fantasy value in his current role, but he is averaging 0.8 blocks in only 9.0 minutes a game. An injury to Jakob Poeltl could make Fernando an intriguing waiver-wire target.
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Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Earns final spot on roster
Rotowire
Fernando earned the 15th spot on the Raptors' roster Monday, Doug Smith of the Toronto Star reports.
The Raptors claimed Fernando off waivers in July after he was let go by the Hawks. The 2019 second-round pick averaged 15.2 minutes per game across 45 regular-season contests last year, and while he's buried on the Raptors' depth chart, Fernando could see some playing time early on during the 2024-25 regular season if Kelly Olynyk (back) and Chris Boucher (knee) were to be sidelined.
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Raptors' Bruno Fernando: Strong off bench Friday
Rotowire
Fernando compiled six points (2-9 FG, 0-1 3PT, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, four steals, two assists and one block in 17 minutes during Friday's 113-95 loss to Washington.
Fernando was waived by the Hawks in July, only to be offered a lifeline in the form of a non-guaranteed, one-year contract by the Raptors. Despite shooting the ball poorly in the loss, Fernando racked up five defensive stats, something the coaching staff was likely looking for. Bruno is no certainty to make the final roster, but performances like this should at least keep him in the discussion.
