3 realistic goals for Raptors big-name free agent signings

Thad Young: Average two assists per game

Young is still valuable as a scorer and defender, but what really stood out was his ability to be a connector that kept the ball moving on the offensive end. His 1.7 assists per game belie his effectiveness in this area, as some of the team’s best lineups came with him on the floor.

Young saw a reasonable chunk of minutes as both a small forward in bigger lineups, a traditional power forward, and a center when Toronto really wanted to push the pace. Young will need to replicate that sudden infusion of multiplicity as he tries to make it to the finals in his later years.

Toronto Raptors: Thad Young will be an excellent facilitator.

Young may have made his mark early in his career as a robust interior scorer, but even the most ardent supporters of his have to admit that he is not the same player in this area. He can contribute to a winner in his advanced age by scrapping in the paint, defending well, and letting the offense flow.

Young will also have a passive impact on this team just by being on the roster. On a team that features multiple starters under the age of 26, having Young on the roster makes for a nice veteran complement that can balance everything out.