Toronto Raptors: 3 restricted free agents to go after this offseason
By Jack Long
The Toronto Raptors’ playoff hopes are officially dead, and the front office should start to be focused on retooling this roster for a return to the postseason as soon as next year, with free agency being the main tool they should lean on.
The FA market should be a major focus for Masai Ujiri and GM Bobby Webster. With one of the strongest classes we’ve seen in years, and a hefty chunk of cap space on deck, the Raptors should be doing their due diligence on any name that could potentially be available and will have to decide if a big splash or a few solid depth additions is the correct route to go.
The Raptors have plenty of unrestricted free agents to consider, but in the NBA restricted free agents can sometimes be just as easy to pursue, even if signing them to an offer sheet doesn’t always mean that they a lock to end up in Toronto.
When it comes to this year’s RFAs, there are plenty of enticing options that could be impact players on any organization. Here are 3 RFAs that would be huge gets for the Raptors.
These 3 RFAs should all be Toronto Raptors targets.
3. Lonzo Ball, New Orleans Pelicans
Lonzo Ball is truly a fascinating player. He’s not your typical volume shooting point guard and is never going to put up massive point totals, but he can still fill up the stat sheet. Ball is a playmaking guard who can score, pass and rebound. This is a player whose job is making his teammates looks better, but can also put up points when needed.
Lonzo was always a great passer, but this season, his shooting is something that was very improved. Career highs in points, field goal percentage, and 3-point percentage prove that his work in the gym is finally paying off. If he gets dissatisfied with New Orleans, could Toronto be a potential destination?
Lonzo Ball would help fill a Kyle Lowry sized hole for the Toronto Raptors
Fellow free agent Kyle Lowry looks to be on his way out with the Raptors, and should have plenty of suitors if he hits the open market or in an eventual sign-and-trade. If Lowry hits the door, the Raptors will need some help at the guard position and Lonzo Ball could be a perfect fit.
Ball is like no player Toronto has, and he could be a really intriguing piece for Nick Nurse’s toolbox. Lonzo could be a great point general for the Raptors, and would create open shots for the likes of Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. while also being able to hit Pascal Siakam in transition. The Raptors will have cap space, but Lonzo will need to be sold on joining another small market.