The Toronto Raptors could have lost both Thad Young and Chris Boucher in the early stages of free agency if Masai Ujiri was not prepared enough. Luckily, Toronto avoided disaster by resigning Young to a two-year contract worth around $16 million in free agency’s early stages.
The Raptors made it a point to get the bench performing better after last year’s atrocity, and the retention of both those veterans paired with the signing of Otto Porter Jr. shows that Ujiri is capable of keeping his own without compromising Toronto’s very unique style.
As was to be expected with a player of Young’s pedigree, the Raptors were not the only team who was looking to sign him. Toronto should feel very lucky that Young decided to come to the Raptors instead of joining a ready-made contender elsewhere in the division.
According to HoopsHype, the Pacers and rival Boston Celtics were both gunning for Young’s services before he decided to return to Toronto. Considering what a perfect fit that he would have been if he went to Boston, the Raptors should be thankful that they retained him.
Thad Young is extending his stay with the Raptors. 🦖 pic.twitter.com/My9l3xehxa
— theScore (@theScore) June 30, 2022
Thad Young joined the Toronto Raptors over the Celtics.
Young averaged 6.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game for Toronto while both stabilizing the team’s bench and serving as the team’s de facto veteran glue. Paying $8 million per season for a guy that can fill both of those roles seems like a bargain.
Young likely knows that he will not average 15 points per game anymore at this stage of his career. With that knowledge in hand, Young likely prioritized places that would help him compete for a championship while mentoring young players at his position. The Raptors seem perfect for that.
Raptors management was clear when grabbing Thad Young they wanted him for more than a few months. Bird Rights were mentioned right away. A good fit on and off court.
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) June 30, 2022
Fresh off going to the NBA Finals, Boston was able to acquire Danilo Gallinari in free agency while giving up a relatively paltry sum of assets in exchange for Malcolm Brogdon. The last thing they needed to do was take a valued Raptors bench member away from them.
While Young may have had a more direct shot at a championship with Boston next year, he appears to have fallen in love with what Toronto is building. Young is going to be a thorn in Boston’s side for the next few years now that Toronto has an agreement that will bring him back to Nick Nurse’s side.