Raptors waive five, convert Bittle deal

TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors waived five players on Saturday and converted centre Nate Bittle’s deal to a two-way contract.

The seven-foot native of Central Point, Ore., averaged a team-high 16.8 points and 6.9 rebounds over 25 games last season as a fifth-year senior at Oregon.

Forward Tyson Degenhart, centre Jamario Sharpe and guards Nizi Burnett, Jalen Celestine and Tyreke Key were waived, the NBA team said in a news release.

The Raptors will begin their regular season on Wednesday night against the visiting Chicago Bulls.