Toronto Raptors: 3 free agent shooting guards to avoid this offseason
By Mike Luciano
The Toronto Raptors will have plenty of money to spend this offseason, and whoever is in charge ion the front office could easily decide to use this money on a top-flight shooting guard. Gary Trent Jr. might be back, but that shouldn’t stop the Raptors from trying to make some additions here.
Potential studs like Tim Hardaway Jr. or Evan Fournier could wiggle their way onto the market, which could make for a very welcome addition to the club if they can cobble the finances together, as they could provide the scoring punch this team needs.
However, sometimes knowing when to show restraint when it comes to spending money could end up being the secret ingredient to build a champion. The Raptors shouldn’t spend their money so frivolously this offseason if a free agent guard doesn’t check all of their boxes.
These 3 guards might be looking to cash in this offseason, but considering where they are at in their careers and what Toronto needs to get back in the postseason picture, both parties should look elsewhere to further their own ends.
3 free agent shooting guards the Toronto Raptors can’t sign.
3. Denzel Valentine, Chicago Bulls
When he was coming out of Michigan State, Denzel Valentine looked perfect for the Bulls. A legendary college player that was a triple-double machine, Valentine appeared to be a mismatch nightmare given his 6-6 frame and physicality. Unfortunately, he hasn’t taken off in the pros, and he’s been more at home on “Shaqtin’ A Fool” than SportsCenter’s Top 10.
After a promising sophomore season, Valentine missed all of 2018-19 with an injury, and he has averaged just 6.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in two years since. His ill-advised shot near the end of a Bulls loss in Miami was his most famous (or infamous, depending on your perspective) moment this year.
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1386414837119406081
Denzel Valentine would require a ton of work for the Raptors to fix.
On paper, Valentine seems like the type of player that Toronto could roll the dice on, especially after their success with DeAndre’ Bembry. He’s versatile, and he is best served around the rim. Unfortunately, Valentine needs a lot more work than Bembry does, as his offensive game is completely broken.
Valentine is a complete non-factor on that end, and a Raptors team that leaned on players like Stanley Johnson and Rodney Hood for heavy minutes at times last year would be better off letting someone else try to salvage Valentine. If he plays like he did last year, the fanbase won’t be that patient with him.