3 free agent flops the Toronto Raptors were right to pass on

The Toronto Raptors started the offseason with more aggression in free agency than most years. Knowing that he had to ensure the core of an already thin rotation had to be retained, Masai Ujiri wasted no time in making sure that the club’s vets were signed and the team’s needs were met.

The Raptors brought back both Chris Boucher and Thad Young in the first few hours of free agency, with Otto Porter Jr. coming the day after. Boucher has been solid despite his injuries, but Young has been in and out of the rotation and Porter has yet to suit up for the team.

The Raptors would have been well within their rights to splurge in free agency, but they chose to use a relatively measured approach. Considering the early returns on players that signed huge multi-year deals, the Raptors should come away from this with even more confidence in their philosophy.

These three free agents came into the season with tons of hype surrounding them after finally securing their respective bags, but they have continually underwhelmed in the early stages of this campaign. The Raptors’ financial situation is looking rosier without being saddled with these contracts.

3 free agent misses the Toronto Raptors wisely avoided.

3. Lu Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder

Dort seems like a player that would have been ideal for the Raptors. A Canada native who plays tough defense and can shoot the ball, Dort was designated as a long-term building block in Oklahoma City when the Thunder gave him a five-year contract. Rather than reinforce the Raptors’ bench, Dort is stinking it up in OKC.

Dort is averaging 14.0 points per game (down from 17.2 last year) while making just 36% of his shots and 17% of his 3-pointers despite shooting just under six triples per game. The Thunder might not be in win-now mode, but Dort has without question stumbled out of the blocks.

The Toronto Raptors chose not to sign Lu Dort.

Dort is a solid supplementary player, but the Thunder invested in him like he is going to be a long-term piece that helps finally bring an end to this ceaseless rebuild. He can’t do that if he’s constantly underperforming as a scorer, lest the new wave of young players ends up pushing him to the bench.

The Raptors, perhaps as much as any team in the league, value length and strength on the perimeter. The Canadian connection could have made Dort a viable option on a short-term deal, but Ujiri likely recoiled in shame the second he heard about the contract No. 5 received.