3 Free Agents the Toronto Raptors could pursue this Offseason

The Toronto Raptors are in a pivotal offseason for the future of the franchise and while all eyes are on the “Summer of Giannis” this team was one win away from the ECF and shouldn’t stop trying to add solid pieces to the roster.

The Toronto Raptors are an organization that always remains active during the offseason. They have had solid drafts in recent years and are one of the best in the league at finding untapped talent in undrafted free agents.

The Raptors front office is one that likes to add role players and foundational pieces through free agency though and this season they will have to address some needs for next season and the future of the franchise. Let’s take a look at some players that Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster could take an extended look at.

Jae Crowder – SF

2019-2020 Season Stats | 10.5 pts | 5.9 reb | 2.5 ast | 12.57 per |

OG Anunoby is an ascending talent for this Toronto Raptors organization and showed in the Bubble that he can be trusted in the biggest of moments. He as of right now looks like the small forward of the future for this team but after him, position depth becomes fairly thin.

Jae Crowder would become a great veteran presence on the floor either off the bench or starting if needed. He would also be a great guy to put OG under his wing and show him what it takes to be a consistent performer in this league. Crowder has been a consistent performer in the NBA for years now and is a player with a great work ethic. He is currently in the NBA Finals and would bring more of the playoff experience that really is an invaluable piece for a future title run.

Christian Wood – PF

2019-2020 Season Stats | 13.1 pts | 6.3 reb | 1.0 ast | 23.22 per |

Christian Wood is an absolute stud. This is a guy who can give you 20-10 on a nightly basis and is a tall fella who can play in the paint or knock down threes. Siakam and Wood would be an unbelievable one-two punch at the power forward position or with all the uncertainty at the center position Christian can play the 5. The Toronto Raptors are building towards sustainable competitiveness year after year and this is a player who is just entering his prime and will be able to play at a high level for a long time.

Nick Nurse loves players who can be put into many types of situations and are willing to step up when needed. Wood took the next step when Andre Drummond was traded from Detroit this season and proved he can be trusted on a nightly basis.

Aron Baynes – C

2019-2020 Season Stats | 11.5 pts | 5.6 reb | 1.6 ast | 15.22 per |

Marc Gasol has called it an NBA career after deciding to play for his hometown team in Barcelona looking to spend some more time with his family. That leaves Serge Ibaka as the only free agent big man the Toronto Raptors have to make a choice on.

It wouldn’t be shocking to see Ibaka and the Raptors work out a deal with what would probably be a huge pay cut for the veteran center. Chris Boucher is also a guy who looks primed for a breakout season after some dominant performances in the Bubble. Saying this, in the case Mafuzzy Chef takes his talents elsewhere or Nick doesn’t quite trust Slimm Duck to be a consistent performer the front office will have to look for a guy who can play the 5.

Aron Baynes is a guy who wouldn’t be an expensive option but would provide a veteran presence for the position. Especially if Ibaka heads out Boucher would need some support at the position and this is an experienced guy who like Crowder can come off the bench but also has no problem starting if needed.

Baynes is a guy who is more than capable at both ends of the court and someone who prioritizes defense as much as offense. His defensive acumen fits the Toronto Raptors culture perfectly and Aron is a guy who could earn the trust of Nurse quickly.