Should the Raptors sign Thad Young for 2022-23 and beyond?
By Mike Luciano
Cons
Between Young and Boucher, nearly $20 million in salary will come off of Toronto’s books in the offseason. With holes behind VanVleet at point guard and at the center spot due to their lack of rim protection, Young is going to eat up some of Toronto’s much-desired financial flexibility.
Players like Jusuf Nurkic and Deandre Ayton are available on the free agent market, and Toronto could take a step up in a crowded Eastern Conference by adding one of those players. Adding Young would take up a good chunk of their salary cap, which Ujiri might not be so keen on.
Does Thad Young fit the Toronto Raptors’ timeline?
Young is having his worst offensive season to date, and he will be 34 next season. For a team leaning into the youth movement, Ujiri might have some apprehension about giving a player that old a multi-year deal that could potentially block a younger player from getting minutes.
Young has been a great scorer in the past, but his days of averaging close to 15 points per game are likely in the rear-view mirror. Is that worth paying a premium price for in free agency when there are plenty of high-ceiling options out there?