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.
Better: Bruce Brown
Brown has quietly become one of the most consistent and effective Nets amid some very chaotic times in Brooklyn. Brown went from a backup that fell out of the plan in Detroit, but the Nets have been very ingenious with how they have deployed him all over the floor.
Brown has averaged 8.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Brown is so versatile that the 6-4 switchblade has played everywhere from traditional point guard to small-ball power forward. In an offense that likes to mix and match configurations, a guard like Brown sounds too good to be true.
Bruce Brown would mesh well with the Toronto Raptors.
Brown did make 40% of his 3-pointers, but he barely averaged more than one attempt from deep per game. He didn’t even make 30% of his attempts the year before. Was his offensive improvement a one-year wonder or the sign of a positive trend that turns him into an available presence on both ends?
Brown will have to enter the Nick Nurse shooting school and pass with flying colors like Precious Achiuwa did last year. While he’d be perfect from a defensive versatility point of view, Brown is a bit too much of a gamble on the offensive end to be the No. 1 free agent option for Toronto this offseason.
Best: Gary Harris
Harris would be a nice veteran addition who comes right in and provides the scoring boost off the bench that this team needs. Harris has been playing well for the last few years, but the presence of Nikola Jokic in Denver and the record of his Orlando teams have overshadowed that.
Harris averaged 11.1 points per game this season despite a lack of sensational offensive talent around him to attract defensive attention. With 38% of his 3-point attempts successful, Harris would be one of the best shooters on the team instantly. Gone are the days of VanVleet attempting 17 3-pointers!
Gary Harris would be a nick pickup for the Toronto Raptors.
Unlike Forbes, Harris is pesky enough on defense to help Toronto maintain their Top 10 defense from the prior year. After some years on a bad Magic team, Harris could potentially be in line for shorter that gets him back in the postseason mix once again.
Low-usage and hyper-efficient, Harris and Achiuwa could be two extremely talented bench players that can come right in and stabilize Toronto’s lackluster unit from last season. Of course, given his player profile, contenders will try to offer him a bigger bag and lure him away from Toronto.