The Toronto Raptors appeared to have their training camp roster finalized when they entered this week. Still, the abrupt end to Svi Mykhailiuk’s tenure in Canada has opened up a vacancy. It’s hard to find a Raptors fan who would argue that Svi needed to be a significant part of the team in 2022-23.
Mykhailiuk was waived after a very disappointing year in which he only made 30% of his 3-point shots and became a rotation afterthought. Toronto is in an excellent financial position, as they were able to eat the guaranteed money owed to him while remaining somewhat financially flexible.
The Raptors will, in all likelihood, look to make one more somewhat noteworthy addition to the squad before the season starts. The free agent market is still teeming with cheap perimeter players that Toronto could swoop in and sign before the season begins.
These 3 players would be a better use of one of the training camp spots than Mykhailiuk was going to be. These players might not be rotation locks, but they have all the skills needed to take up one of the spots at the back end of the Toronto bench.
Toronto Raptors: 3 free agents who could replace Svi Mykhailiuk.
3. Brandon Goodwin
We know that the Raptors have already had an interest in Goodwin, as they signed him during that initial wave of COVID-19 infections. After he himself tested positive and his short-term deal was scrapped, Goodwin found a home for the rest of the season in Cleveland.
Goodwin averaged 4.8 points and 2.5 assists per game while starting five different contests. Earning those starts just a few months after being signed as a quick fix is a testament to his ability to generate offense. He could be an interesting name to throw into the point guard battle.
Brandon Goodwin could fit in with the Toronto Raptors.
Goodwin has tremendous speed and passing instincts with the ball in his hands, just like Dalano Banton. He’s also exhibited the ability to rise up from deep and connect semi-regularly, just like Malachi Flynn. Goodwin might be able to give Banton a legitimate challenge.
Goodwin has shown enough on tape to earn a spot with an NBA team, so it’s only a matter of time before some team decides to bite. The Raptors could be proactive if they sign Goodwin, or they could be reactive and watch a promising player get swiped off the market.