After the news that was released about Toronto Raptors rookie Terence Davis, it has raised a lot of eyebrows as well as a lot of questions.
After what happened with Toronto Raptors rookie Terence Davis people are now left wondering if the Raptors will indeed walk away from Davis or somehow decide to bring him back.
The Toronto Raptors take things like this very seriously so I wouldn’t be surprised if they decide to not bring back the rookie.
However, if they do not bring him back they will more than likely need a replacement player for him as they already have a handful of their own free agents as well.
3. Alec Burks – 29 years old – PG/SG
2019-20 stats – 66 GP – 15.0 PPG – 4.3 RPG – 2.9 APG – .418 FG% – .385 3P% – .887 FT%
Career stats – 495 GP – 10.3 PPG – 3.2 RPG – 1.9 APG – .422 FG% – .364 3P% – .791 FT%
At my number three spot on this list of three shooting guards that could possibly replace Terence Davis if the Toronto Raptors do indeed decide to part ways with their rookie, is Alec Burks. Now if you hear the name Alec Burks you’re probably thinking he isn’t a big name in the NBA, and you’re right, he isn’t but he doesn’t have to be a big name to get the job done. He isn’t somebody that would be a starter on this Raptors team but he is someone that would be coming off the bench, essentially replacing Davis’ minutes.
Burks who played in 66 games this past season split time between the Golden State Warriors and the Philadelphia 76ers and averaged a pretty good stat line in my eyes if we’re being completely honest right now. He averaged a pretty good 15/4.3/2.9 and also shot the ball pretty well from the field, three-point line, and free throw line as well on average 26 minutes a night.
Looking at his offensive numbers they’re there and they’re also decent but looking at his defensive numbers too they’re pretty average and I don’t think it would harm a Toronto Raptors team who already have great defensive players.
When looking at defensive stats I really like looking at two stats in particular and they’re steals and deflections. Now in the 2019-20 season, Burks averaged 0.9 SPG (steals per game) and also averaged 1.6 DPG (deflections per game) which is pretty average if you ask me.
He is currently coming off a one-year deal which paid him $2.3M so I don’t think his next contract would be anything too expensive, plus with the pandemic affecting money in leagues around the world, I don’t think a lot of players will be getting much of raises as we’ve seen in the past. (Stats from Basketball-Reference.com)
2. Avery Bradley – 29 years old – PG/SG
2019-20 stats – 49 GP – 8.6 PPG – 2.3 RPG – 1.3 APG – .444 FG% – .364 3P% – .833 FT%
Career stats – 571 GP – 11.8 PPG – 2.9 RPG – 1.8 APG – .436 FG% – .364 3P% – .780 FT%
At my number two spot on this list, I have veteran and recent NBA champion, Avery Bradley. Bradley just like Burks won’t be flashy and put up an insane number of points on the board along with rebounds and assists, however, he will get the job done nicely and he’s a better defender than Alec Burks as well.
Bradley who has been in the league for 10 seasons now has been on some great teams and has gone on some deep playoff runs including this year’s Lakers team although he wasn’t in the NBA restart to the playoffs.
Like I was saying about his offensive and defensive abilities, it would be a great addition to this Toronto Raptors lineup and he would be a great piece coming off the bench for them. In 49 games this past season he averaged 8.6/2.3/1.3 with great shooting as well, and just like Burks, his defensive game was pretty good during the season averaging 0.9 SPG and 1.6 DPG.
A guy like Bradley on this Raptors team wouldn’t be just an extra body, it would add another veteran piece along with experience and still some skill on the offensive side and defensive side of the ball despite Bradley declining in production compared to years prior.
Bradley used to be that guy who would average 14-16 points a season while shooting the ball consistently from the field and three from his days in Boston, however, he isn’t that guy anymore. He’ll still shoot the ball well from the field don’t get me wrong but he’ll give you around 8-10 points off the bench while playing good defense.
He is currently on a two-year deal with the Lakers which is paying him on average $4.8M and is now entering his second year of the deal with a player option. If he decides to opt-in then it’ll be a different story for the Raptors to target him, however, if he opts out and wants a slight raise or somewhere near that same amount while testing the market, I think the Toronto Raptors should look at him. (Stats from Basketball-Reference.com)
1. Bogdan Bogdanovic – 28 years old – SG/SF
2019-20 stats – 61 GP – 15.1 PPG – 3.4 RPG – 3.4 APG – .440 FG% – .372 3P% – .741 FT%
Career stats – 209 GP – 13.5 PPG – 3.2 RPG – 3.5 APG – .434 FG% – .374 3P% – .806 FT%
At my number one and final spot of three shooting guards that could possibly replace Terence Davis if the Toronto Raptors do indeed decide to part ways with their rookie, is Bogdan Bogdanovic. Out of all three players I have listed in this article I think it’s safe to say Bogdanovic may be the clear cut best choice, but he’ll also be the most expensive one too so it all depends on how much money the Raptors would want to spend especially if they’re focusing on 2021 free agency.
Bogdanovic has only been in the league for three years now, however, he has been improving every year since entering. Averaging 15.1/3.4/3.4 this season while shooting well from the floor as well playing great defense of the ball is what every team in the league would want on their team.
Along with his offensive numbers, he also averaged a great 1.0 SPG and a 2.1 DPG which is both higher than the two other players I mentioned in this article. Like I said about Bogdanovic being the clear-cut best choice here for the Toronto Raptors it also comes down to money and if both sides come to an agreement.
He averaged 29 minutes a night this past season in Sacramento so I don’t know if he will be coming off the bench in Toronto due to the limited bodies that naturally play shooting guard. VanVleet, however, does play shooting guard whenever he and Lowry are on the court together, and Powell also plays the two as well, however, if Bogdanovic doesn’t come off the bench and starts with those minutes like in Sacramento then I can see him and Powell split minutes somewhat evenly the same way Ibaka and Gasol did these last two seasons. (Stats from Basketball-Reference.com)
Who do you think the Toronto Raptors should target if they do indeed decide to part ways with their rookie Terence Davis? Is it any one of the three I mentioned in Alec Burks, Avery Bradley, and or Bogdan Bogdanovic, or is it someone else?