Grading Raptors’ free agent signings early in 2022-23 season

Juancho Hernangomez

Hernangomez was given a one-year deal, but the fact that it was fully guaranteed showed that he was not going to be involved in the competition with names like DJ Wilson and Josh Jackson. Unfortunately, Bo Cruz has not been able to be as effective on the court as he was in his screen test.

Hernangomez has yet to score a point in four games, getting run off the floor very quickly in the opening-night win against the Cavaliers. We knew he wouldn’t be a great defender, but the lack of shooting and offensive skill has been quite alarming.

Juancho Hernangomez has disappointed for the Toronto Raptors.

The reason that Hernangomez can be criticized despite his lack of playing time is the fact that Nick Nurse said that Juancho was going to be a rotation player as the team worked their way back to full health. Just a handful of games in, that plan has already been thoroughly scrapped.

While Jackson and Wilson were almost assuredly not going to move the needle for the Raptors, Hernangomez essentially reserving a roster spot while those two had to be discarded must have stung for them. While he is not in the short-term plans beyond mop-up duty, the Raptors can’t be too thrilled with him so far.

Grade: F