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.
2. Lauri Markkanen, Chicago Bulls
Lauri Markkanen has had a season to forget for the Chicago Bulls. Injury issues and overall inefficiencies have caused him to career lows in most major stats, although his field goal and 3-point percentages are up from past seasons. At 23 years old, Markkanen is still a developing asset with tons of potential.
At 7 feet tall, Markkanen is a big forward who can play center. Despite a fairly wiry frame, Markkanen is strong and plays the game tough, not afraid to go up against some of the bigger and heavier players in the NBA. Toronto could be a good fit for someone with a playing style that didn’t work in Chicago.
Lauri Markkanen would increase the skill in the Toronto Raptors frontcourt.
It’s no secret that the Raptors need help in the frontcourt, especially when it comes to the center position. Khem Birch has been a huge boost and should be a priority when it comes to the Raptors free agency strategy, but help is still needed.
At 23, Markkanen would fit right into the Raptors’ young core and could bring in a unique package of skills for a guy of his size to the power forward or center position. The young Finnish star has a better scoring touch than the likes of Birch and would be a great option at the five or splitting duties with Pascal Siakam at the four.
1. John Collins, Atlanta Hawks
When it comes to freak athletes in the NBA there aren’t many like John Collins. The big forward has surreal hops and speed for an athlete for his stature and showcases it every night. As great as Collins is at the skill game, he’s not afraid to do the dirty work in the trenches as well and is great around the rim.
Collins’ name was floated around as early as the NBA Trade Deadline from some issues with management and teammates, but the asking price was massive, and now the Atlanta Hawks find themselves in the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Would he consider leaving due to the emergence of Clint Capela?
John Collins would be a superstar fit for the Toronto Raptors
Of all the players mentioned today, Collins undisputedly has the highest ceiling and would be a game-changing get for the Toronto Raptors if they were able to get him out of Atlanta.
Collins fit may not be perfect position-wise with the Raptors, as he would ideally fit in the power forward spot taken by Pascal Siakam, but that shouldn’t hold Masai Ujiri back. Collins is a guy who has the size and athleticism to play the center position, and has done so for the Hawks many times.
No matter where Collins was to play, he would be able to add depth to this roster by sending a starting quality player to come off the bench, be that the likes of Khem Birch or Gary Trent Jr.
All of these RFAs would be immediate impact fits with the Toronto Raptors.
The Raptors have a big offseason ahead and should already be circling their free agent targets as we speak. Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster know what this team needs and know that this roster isn’t far away from returning to playoff-caliber.
Everyone talks about the UFAs when it comes to free agency, but as we’ve seen in recent years – RFA status has less meaning to most players and organizations. All of the players mentioned today could easily be available if you just make the call and would have immediate impact roles with this Raptors team.