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Toronto Raptors: 4 best free agents to target at small forward

By Pirasanth Gunasekaram

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 19: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Golden State Warriors in action against George Hill #33 the Philadelphia 76ers during an NBA basketball game at Wells Fargo Center on April 19, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Warriors defeated the 76ers 107-96. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 19: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Golden State Warriors in action against George Hill #33 the Philadelphia 76ers during an NBA basketball game at Wells Fargo Center on April 19, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Warriors defeated the 76ers 107-96. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 21: Kyle Anderson #1 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball defended by Nicolas Batum #33 of the LA Clippers  (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 21: Kyle Anderson #1 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball defended by Nicolas Batum #33 of the LA Clippers  (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /

2. Nicolas Batum

Batum is not the guy that he used to be, but he can still contribute to the team. Batum is a good three and D player in the NBA. His three-point percentage during the 2020-21 season was 40.4%. Batum also made the Los Angeles Clippers 3.6 points better per 100 possessions whenever he’s on the floor.

Batum is the most versatile player out of everyone on the list because Batum has played the center spot on some occasions with the Clippers. With minutes at point guard and center in the postseason, Batum could allow Nick Nurse to get really funky with some of the lineup combinations.

Nicolas Batum is a cheap, do-it-all veteran.

Batum can play both the shooting guard and the power forward spot for most of the game. he usually plays those positions whenever he doesn’t play the small forward position. Batum can improve the Raptors’ defense because they can switch easily whenever Batum is on the floor.

He along with OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet, Kyle Lowry (should he stay) and Pascal Siakam, and others are a nightmare on the opponent’s offense. They can switch and put pressure on teams while draining so many threes that they run the offense out of the gym.