Jalen Celestine is off the Toronto Raptors roster as of Sunday, Oct. 18. The move follows a Saturday report from Blake Murphy that the Raptors converted Nate Bittle to a two-way deal and waived five players.
The move
Celestine, a 24-year-old rookie, is no longer on the Toronto Raptors roster, per the official roster as of Sunday, Oct. 18. The move came a day after Blake Murphy reported the Raptors converted Nate Bittle to a two-way contract and waived five players, confidence not stated. Celestine's destination off the roster is not announced.
The money
Celestine's contract is not on file yet; public salary data can lag a signing or departure by a day. The Raptors carry a payroll of $202.5 million across 15 contracts for 2026-27, over the luxury tax. The cap sits at $165.0 million, the tax line at $200.4 million, the first apron at $209.0 million and the second apron at $221.7 million.
The fit
Celestine has no NBA line from last season. Toronto's returning rotation last season was led by Brandon Ingram at 33.8 minutes and 21.5 points, Scottie Barnes at 33.5 minutes and 18.1 points, and Immanuel Quickley at 31.9 minutes and 16.4 points, with RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl, Jamal Shead, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Murray-Boyles also in the mix. The Raptors list 16 players on the roster, against a standard limit of 15 plus three two-way spots.
Was Jalen Celestine waived by the Raptors?
The official roster shows him off the Raptors as of Sunday, Oct. 18. A Saturday report from Blake Murphy said Toronto waived five players after converting Nate Bittle to a two-way deal, but that report did not confirm Celestine by name.
Does Jalen Celestine have a new contract on file?
Not announced. His contract status is not on file yet.