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Is Toronto & Raptors a bright, shiny destination for free agents?

By Brian Boake

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As we contemplate what shape the roster of next season’s Toronto Raptors will take, the question of free agents becomes critical. I haven’t hidden my belief that we’ll say “farewell & enjoy our money” to Landry Fields and Chuck Hayes, nor do I think we’re going to see a rash of free agent signings. That’s in next summer’s agenda, when we’ve got cash jingling in our jeans.

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To be ready for a splashy signing or two, we should consider life from a desirable free agent’s perspective. Why should LaMarcus Aldridge, who could sign with anyone, come to Toronto? When players declare they will sign with a team which can win, believe them. These guys want a championship ring; they’ll get paid wherever they go. That’s one of the many reasons why our recent playoff disaster may haunt our organization for some time. Zach Lowe at Grantland pitched this notion as it applies to the Washington Wizards’ playoff success and their pursuit of hometown hero Kevin Durant. If KD believes the Wiz are on the edge of great things (if John Wall is at full health, that’s a hard notion to dispute), he may decide he’s had enough midwestern hospitality and come on board in ’16-’17 as the final piece of their puzzle. KD has also gone on record as saying he grew up a Raps fan because of Vince Carter, so putting the Thin Reaper in our colours isn’t a wild fantasy.

Jan 12, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Detroit Pistons guard Brandon Jennings (7) passes the ball during the second quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

I don’t want to get bogged down with specific players. Is Toronto a desirable destination, both as a city, and as a place to compete for an NBA Championship? Next year will be important for Toronto and our organization, as the All-Star will shine a bright light, as will the opening of the Raps’ new practice facility at Exhibition Place. Having a D-League team debut won’t hurt either, but that doesn’t showcase the city. I thought I’d have some fun by finding out which NBA players list Toronto as their favourite city. How about the Detroit Pistons’ Brandon Jennings? He’s worldly for a young man, having played in Italy. Rick Mahorn  and Ian Clark are also fans of our city. I’m comfortable saying we won’t lose anyone we want because of our home town.

As for the team itself – well, here’s where rubber meets road. The current group is somewhere in the upper-middle rankings of the NBA, with the lack of a star its biggest drawback. Perhaps that’s why I don’t believe this is the summer to add a splashy free agent. The good ones want to complement talented teammates, because they know they can’t win a ring by themselves. The Raps badly need one or two of our core guys to step up their game. Could Jonas Valanciunas take a giant step forward next year? Can Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan be All-Stars in the same season? If those things happen, a savvy agent can tell his client: “This team is still young, its roster is deep and improving, the fans and city are top-notch, and they’ve got money. Let’s short-list Toronto.”

One issue on which a lot of free-agents’ decisions will hinge: Dwane Casey regaining his mojo as a tough yet successful, player-friendly coach. Our friends at Raptors Republic have some thoughts to share on that matter.

Patience, Rapture Nation…patience is called for (again).

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