Now that the Toronto Raptors can finally close the book on what was a lost 2021 season, it’s time for the team to set its sights on ways to improve. Raptors free agency promises to be a doozy of an experience for Masai Ujiri.
There was certainly a sense of disappointment surrounding the Raptors on Monday evening. When the Indiana Pacers were victorious over Cleveland, it meant Toronto would not be competing in the NBA playoffs for the first time in eight years.
That disappointment was also met with relief, however, as the team can now tie a bow on what quickly became the most bizarre and possibly the most difficult season in the franchise’s 26-year history.
The reasons for the team’s struggles have been lamented on all year, and we all know what they are. Playing in Tampa, the pre-season frontcourt exodus, injuries, and COVID-19 depleting the roster, just to name a few. All that is in the past though, and now it’s time to focus on how to make sure a season like this doesn’t happen two years in a row.
For the first time in eight seasons, the Raptors have been eliminated from playoff contention. pic.twitter.com/uflo0fuBEy
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 11, 2021
Thanks to a smart financial move; swapping Norman Powell for the cheaper (and restricted) Gary Trent Jr, the Raptors will have options when it comes to free agency to help improve their team. Having said that though, fans shouldn’t get too excited about the potential of any big stars coming north of the border next year.
Potential big-name Toronto Raptors free agency targets.
- Chris Paul PHX (player option)
- Kawhi Leonard LAC (player option)
- DeMar DeRozan SAS
- Mike Conley. UTA
- Victor Oladipo MIA
Despite the lack of a “wow-factor” in the top-end this year’s free agent crop given how unlikely it is Leonard and Paul opt out, there are some lesser name players who could make a serious impact improving the Raptors roster, specifically to shore up the teams’ biggest need: the center position.
If Khem Birch is not brought back, or if the Raptors aren’t satisfied with their depth at that position, they could add one of these three bigs.