The Toronto Raptors are on the verge of making their glorious return to playoff basketball, but that doesn’t mean that they are necessarily going to be as well next year. Masai Ujiri needs another strong offseason spearheaded by some solid free agents signings to keep pace with the rest of the conference.
The holes on this Raptors roster remain notable despite the fact they’ve had as much success as they have this year. This team lacks amazing perimeter shooters and the guard depth has been generally lacking. Bringing in one more solid defensive rebounder couldn’t hurt either.
Toronto’s front office will need to stay alert and take a good look at the Western Conference postseason race. Even if Toronto won’t have a ton of money to spend due to all five starters being locked in for next year, they could make some under-the-radar additions that reinforce the bench.
These 4 free agents could all fit right in with what Toronto wants to do on both sides of the ball. If they are enticed by the idea of being a reliable role player on a team that has aspirations of making the playoffs as a top-four seed next year, the raptors might win out over other competing offers.
4 Western Conference free agents the Toronto Raptors should eye.
4. Bryn Forbes, Denver Nuggets
The Raptors narrowly missed out on acquiring Forbes from the Spurs before the trade deadline, but they will get another crack at him when he hits the open market. Forbes has developed a reputation as a solid shooter, but he really stepped it up over the last few seasons.
Over the last four seasons, which included a year as a champion with the Bucks, Forbes has made 42% of his 3-pointers on just under five attempts per game. Toronto didn’t get much second-half production from Svi Mykhailiuk, and Forbes could represent an upgrade in that area.
The Toronto Raptors need a shooter like Bryn Forbes.
Arriving on a Denver team that was struggling to find quality depth behind Nikola Jokic thanks to injuries, Forbes immediately provided a stabilizing effect off the bench. He could have the same effect for a Toronto team that ranks 18th in the league in 3-point percentage despite some quality shooters in the starting lineup.
While Forbes won’t be winning any All-Defensive nominations with his shutdown play on that end, Toronto’s work with Gary Trent Jr. shows that they might have enough coaching acumen to turn Forbes around in that area. At the very least, he’d be a much-needed upgrade at shooting guard.
3. Kevon Looney, Golden State Warriors
Even though James Wiseman has played a grand total of zero games, the Warriors will likely try to move forward with the Memphis alum as their long-term starter. While he’s evolved into a super effective rebounder over the last half-decade, Looney might want to cash in elsewhere.
Looney’s 7.3 rebounds per game this season are a career-high, and his 6.0 points per game are right off the best mark of his career. Still just 26 years old, Looney has proven to be an ideal low-usage big for an offense that revolves almost entirely around high-level guard play.
Kevon Looney would give the Toronto Raptors depth.
Looney would come to Toronto as the third big man in the pecking order behind starter Pascal Siakam and the improved Precious Achiuwa. Even with those two in the fold, Looney could be in for a production bump. If he gets the same leeway Khem Birch does, Looney might finally challenge for double-digits in scoring.
Looney is never going to be an elite interior scorer, but he could be an upgraded version of Birch while not costing the Raptors as much to procure him. Looney could spread his wings in Toronto, filling the Birch role while getting slightly greater offensive responsibility than he saw in Golden State.
2. Robert Covington, Los Angeles Clippers
For someone that has never played for the Raptors, Covington does seem like the type of player that would get some rave reviews from Masai Ujiri and the rest of the front office. While not an elite on-ball defender, Covington has proven to be an archetypal 3-and-D forward over the last few years.
Ever since he was traded to a Clippers team trying to make the playoffs, Covington has averaged 10.6 points per game while converting on 45% of his 3-point attempts. No one in this league loves 6-8 forwards who can switch more than the Raptors, and that could force them to give Covington a very hard sell.
Robert Covington fits the Toronto Raptors schematically.
Both Chris Boucher and Thad Young are free agents at the end of the season, and the odds of retaining both of them don’t seem very likely at this point. While far from a dominant interior presence, joining a Raptors team that switches everything on defense and needs shooting seems like an ideal fit.
Covington will turn 32 next offseason, meaning that teams that could be better positioned to win a championship might have more allure than the Raptors. If Toronto can sell him on their vision, Covington could be convinced to spurn those contenders and head up to Canada.
1. Tyus Jones, Memphis Grizzlies
Jones has been one of the main reasons that the Grizzlies have enjoyed a 20-2 record without Ja Morant. While he’s proven himself as one of the most valued backup point guards in the league, he could look to bolt Memphis in an attempt to cash in elsewhere.
Jones has set new career-best marks in points per game (8.6) and rebounds per game (2.5) while coming in with a tidy 4.4 assists per game. A high-energy defender who thrived in Memphis’ up-tempo attack, Jones will be a highly sought-after point guard for any contender worth their salt.
Tyus Jones would be a perfect Toronto Raptors backup.
Malachi Flynn has had his moments this season, but he still isn’t a sure thing to return to the Raptors. Armoni Brooks earned a full contract with Toronto, but he has seen his playing time dwindle after that contract was signed. Jones is clearly a cut or two above those guards.
While the Raptors will have to fight off teams that might be willing to pay Jones starter money this season, Toronto should still try to go after him. Given all of the injury issues they have had this year, having an improving scorer and solid defender ready to step up will bring them immeasurable value.