Raptors free agency: 3 available free agents Toronto should pursue

1. Josh Hart

Josh Hart is a restricted free agent on a Pelicans team that allowed Lonzo Ball to end up in Chicago, replacing him with Devonte’ Graham in the process. While New Orleans should have interest in retaining him a Raptors team that has placed an emphasis on positionless basketball could fall in love with Hart.

The former Lakers first-rounder averaged 9.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in two seasons with the Pelicans despite his 6-5 frame. Clearly comfortable with playing down by the post, Hart and his 35% career percentage from 3-point range could be a perfect backup shooting guard behind Gary Trent Jr.

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Josh Hart could be the perfect Sixth Man for the Raptors.

Hart has seen his scoring production capped by virtue of playing alongside LeBron James in Los Angeles and the Zion Williamson/Brandon Ingram duo in New Orleans. Could Toronto provide him with more shots? If the scoring production takes a slight uptick, giving Hart a somewhat pricy multi-year contract might make a ton of sense.

Raptors free agency could turn around in an instant if they add Hart to the fold. A spry young player looking to prove himself on a team that can challenge for a playoff spot, Hart could be the first man off of the bench for a Raptors team that is valuing versatility more than ever before.