Lucas Nogueira is expected to get a heavy workload during the Raptors' preseason schedule as he heads into his rookie season, the Toronto Star reports.

Nogueira is expected to get a heavy workload during the Raptors' preseason schedule as he heads into his rookie season, the Toronto Star reports.

Analysis:

The young Brazilian center is still seen by the Raptors' front office as a bit of a project, and will be buried on the depth chart behind Jonas Valanciunas, Amir Johnson and others when the season begins, so the club plans to give him all the minutes he can handle during the preseason. If Nogueira shows more polish than expected though, his ability as a shot-blocker could allow him to carve out a bench role as the season progresses.