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.
2. Jake Layman
Layman has spent the last six years bouncing around between the Trail Blazers and Timberwolves with mixed results. While he is coming off a very poor season, the two prior years with Minnesota were so promising that the 28-year-old still has value as a free agent.
From 2018-2021, Layman averaged 7.1 points and 2.5 rebounds per game while making 49% of his shots. Having converted on just under 62% of his two-point shots, the 6-8 forward has proven to be a solid finisher. His 3-point percentage is the biggest obstacle toward short-term success for him.
The Toronto Raptors could improve Jake Layman.
Layman has shot 32% from 3-point range in that aforementioned span, though his numbers completely fell down the drain. If the Raptors are still confident in their ability to turn poor shooters into worthwhile offensive weapons, Layman could be their next reclamation project.
While he’s not an amazing defender, Layman could profile as an offensive sparkplug that Mykhailiuk was supposed to be in 2021-22. Layman will need some work, but he has more experience and quality than most rotation-worthy players who are available right now.
1. Jarrett Culver
The links between Culver and the Raptors are getting too strong to ignore at this point. Not only was the former No. 6 overall pick spotted with the team during one of Rico Hines’ scrimmages, but Scottie Barnes seemed to be under the impression that Culver had already agreed to terms with Toronto.
Culver’s NBA career might be over after just 134 games, as the scoring skill we saw in college hasn’t popped up and his defense has been lackluster. Even tanking Timberwolves teams and playoff squads like the Grizzlies have been united in their distaste for Culver. Is there any hope left?
Will the Toronto Raptors sign Jarrett Culver?
Culver has some iota of defensive potential that has still yet to be mined, and the Raptors seem to believe that they have the support around Culver that could get him back in the saddle on the offensive end. That Texas Tech star could still be in there if Nick Nurse wants to work with him.
Culver must start from the lowest possible point and show a team with playoff aspirations. That’s not going to be an easy task, but the Raptors could oblige if the stars on the team seem to think that he has enough potential to mine.