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3 free agents still alive in playoffs Raptors could target this summer

By Mike Luciano

TORONTO, ONTARIO - JUNE 19: Masai Ujiri, President, Toronto Raptors attends the 2020 Audi Innovation Series on June 19, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by George Pimentel/Getty Images for Audi Innovation Series)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - JUNE 19: Masai Ujiri, President, Toronto Raptors attends the 2020 Audi Innovation Series on June 19, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by George Pimentel/Getty Images for Audi Innovation Series) /
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Aaron Holiday, Toronto Raptors
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MARCH 11: Aaron Holiday #4 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the first half of the NBA game against the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Kelsey Grant/Getty Images) /

The Toronto Raptors are in a position where they need to make some improvements to the bench following the conclusion of their 2021-22 season. The lack of depth behind Fred VanVleet was one of the main reasons that this squad was unable to do much in the postseason against the 76ers.

After VanVleet and Nick Nurse didn’t exactly offer the most robust reviews of Malachi Flynn and his status as the team’s backup point guard, it may have set off some alarm bells. Toronto has themselves firmly in the mix for many of the best backup point guards out there. A shooter here and there wouldn’t go amiss either.

The Raptors should keep a very close eye on the playoff picture, as they might have some future teammates playing in some of these games. Toronto could be in line for an active offseason, which could prompt them to be players on a deep free agent market full of standout contributors.

These three players are pending free agents that are still alive in the postseason. If Ujiri and the Raptors’ pro scouting team want to nail it in the summer, they should try their hardest to make sure that one of these three players ends up in a red and black jersey by the end

3 playoff free agents the Toronto Raptors can target

3. Aaron Holiday, PG, Phoenix Suns

Holiday is a restricted free agent, but Toronto needs to consider giving him an offer sheet that Phoenix might be unwilling to match. After being traded from Washington early in the season, Holiday has proven to be a competent backup behind Chris Paul and Devin Booker this year.

Holiday averaged 6.8 points and 3.4 assists per game with Phoenix, as their offense appeared to suit his skills better than whatever Wes Unseld Jr. had him doing in Washington. VanVleet needs a backup that can score, distribute, and defend. Holiday has shown skill in all three of those areas.

Aaron Holiday would be a fit with the Toronto Raptors.

Holiday is not someone that would align with Toronto’s directive to get longer and stronger at just 6-0 and 185 pounds. Swapping one first-round pick in Flynn out for Holiday might not give the Raptors the big change they are looking for off the bench. Holiday’s Raptors chances will depend on Ujiri’s willingness to lean on a smaller point guard to relieve FVV.

If Toronto can justify bringing Holiday in despite his lack of defensive versatility, they’re going to get a lightning-quick guard who has proven himself a scorer and distributor in a very limited role. Holiday made 44% of his 3-pointers in Phoenix, so he’ll play a part in fixing Toronto’s deficiencies there.