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Good, Better, Best: Raptors free agent shooting guard targets

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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Bryn Forbes, Toronto Raptors
DENVER, COLORADO – MARCH 02: Bryn Forbes #6 of the Denver Nuggets (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

The Toronto Raptors should consider 2021-22 as a massive success, as they managed to somehow win 48 games despite some fairly noticeable holes on the roster. The lack of quality shooting guard depth was the most significant flaw Nick Nurse and this team’s collection of stars had to overcome.

Even with Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. inflating the numbers, Toronto was one of the worst teams in the league from beyond the arc. Once Svi Mykhailiuk fell out of the rotation due to poor performance, Toronto failed to replace him with someone that was NBA-caliber.

While the Raptors have enough cap space to bring in some big names in free agency, they could look to make some smaller additions and pull off their more seismic moves in the frontcourt. Getting a wily veteran on a cheaper contract can’t be ruled out as a possibility.

The Raptors will have plenty of options when it comes to getting their stars more support. While the Raptors could play it safe and add some low-risk veteran talent, Masai Ujiri could establish himself as one of the early winners of the offseason if he brings in one of the best available vets.

Should the Toronto Raptors acquire one of these shooting guards?

Good: Bryn Forbes

Forbes could have been a solid trade target after plying his trade with San Antonio to start the season, but Denver beat Ujiri to the punch. Forbes’ 41% 3-point percentage was identical to his career average. Forbes can do one thing well, but the Raptors need exactly what he brings to the table.

Forbes has averaged 10.5 points per game over the last four seasons, playing some big minutes in the playoffs for the Nuggets and Bucks. While Forbes would be a nice fix to one of Toronto’s more noteworthy issues, he is a bit of a one-trick pony that could be a defensive liability.

Will Bryn Forbes fit the Toronto Raptors?

Forbes will not be the best defender in the world, nor should he be considered a viable ball-handler or generator on offense. With what is expected to be limited cap space following the signing of either Chris Boucher or Thad Young, Forbes can be an exploitable perimeter body.

Forbes’ value to the Raptors will be determined by how much of their commitment to their long, versatile style of basketball. He’ll be someone that could be hunted on defense. Still, he’s such a good shooter and cheap enough from a value point of view that Ujiri would do well to consider signing him.