Masai Ujiri built the Toronto Raptors with the intent of being one of the nastiest defensive teams in the league. No team values length and switchability more than Toronto, as the selection of Scottie Barnes and the addition of Precious Achiuwa shows a commitment to this unique style of play.
Toronto is going into the offseason with two more 6-8 forwards in Thad Young and Chris Boucher hitting the open market, though there is a case to be made for retaining both of them. With their Bird Rights in Toronto’s possession, Ujiri might be able to bring those two back.
If he misses out on one or both of them, look for Ujiri to peruse the free agent market and find players that could fill their old roles from a physical perspective. Abandoning such a heavy commitment to one type of forward after a successful campaign last year would be very foolish.
The Raptors need to keep an eye on these three veteran free agents. If Young and Boucher find contracts elsewhere, Ujiri will need to act fast if he wants to get one of these experienced veterans in a red and black jersey before 2022-23.
Toronto Raptors: 3 versatile forwards Masai Ujiri could sign
3. Kyle Anderson, Memphis Grizzlies
Anderson and his uniquely deliberate style of play have been on quite the roller coaster ride over the last two years. After averaging a career-high 12.4 points per game two years ago, his scoring dropped to 7.6 per game as Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks started to break out. His tenure in Memphis could come to a close.
Anderson has seen his playing time fluctuate in Memphis, but it’s hard to argue with a 48% percentage from the field and a 33% success rate from 3-point range. While not a fantastic defender, he can certainly hold his own across multiple positions. Anderson would fit like a glove in Toronto.
Kyle Anderson could fit the Toronto Raptors’ scheme perfectly.
While he has the height and weight of a small-ball center, Anderson’s mobility will allow him to help the Raptors on the perimeter as a power forward, traditional small forward, and oversized off-ball wing. He can be impactful without dominating the ball on the offensive side.
Anderson will not be on many highlight-reel tapes, but he’s the type of savvy veteran that contending teams always seem to have on their bench. Retaining Young is the top priority, but Anderson could make for a very solid replacement if Thad gets a better deal elsewhere.
2. Robert Covington, Los Angeles Clippers
Covington has bounced around the league, as contending teams have used him as a small-ball big man and perimeter defender in oversized lineups. With a solid 3-point shot, signing Covington would kill two birds with one stone. He could play a part in fixing Toronto’s lack of perimeter shooting.
After proving himself for a half-decade in Philadelphia and Minnesota, Covington managed to break out of his Portland-induced slump and shoot 45% on 3-point attempts. Just 32 next season, Covington can be a reliable shooter that can defend three frontcourt positions with ease. Ujiri has likely had his eye on them for some time.
Robert Covington would give a veteran edge to the Toronto Raptors.
Covington might be losing some of his former defensive glory, but he is still a capable defender at this level. Covington is a much better shooter and scorer than Boucher, even if he lacks the Canadian’s shot-blocking ability. Now that Toronto is an established playoff team, Covington could be intrigued to join them.
Covington is at the point in his career where ring-chasing would not be frowned upon. Toronto is not going to be the only team that will give Covington a call. If he is intrigued by what the Raptors are building, there is a chance that Tennessee State’s finest spurns other favorites and comes up north.
1. Otto Porter, Golden State Warriors
Porter’s career since leaving the Wizards has not been what the No. 3 overall pick anticipated, as he has often struggled with injuries and shuffled between rebuilding teams. With the Warriors in 2021-22, Porter showed that he was willing to accept a reduced role and be an impact player on a winner.
Porter averaged 8.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game while making 46% of his shots and 37% of his attempts from deep. Porter became an ace reserve for Golden State, and he could get an even bigger role if Toronto is sold on his combination of shooting and versatility.
Otto Porter Jr. could boost the Toronto Raptors on both ends.
Porter averaged just under seven shots per game in 22.6 minutes per game. On a Raptors bench that lacks offensive creation, Porter will get a much greener light. Still just 29 years old after all these years, Porter might have a higher ceiling than some of the similarly-priced players in this talent tier.
Not only is Ujiri fond of adding players with Porter’s physical traits, but he’s developed a reputation for taking former first-round picks and trying to dig deep into their reservoirs of talent. Porter and Achiuwa in the same lineup next to one another could help the bench be much more productive.