The Toronto Raptors made their first noteworthy roster move of the 2022-23 season when they decided to release former undrafted free agent forward Justin Champagnie. This comes just a few months after he signed a multi-year contract with Toronto and won a preseason competition.
The move was clearly motivated by Champagnie’s finances, as he would have had over $1 million guaranteed to him if they kept him in 2023. The Raptors now have one more roster spot that can be used to give this poor bench a shot in the arm that could pay dividends down the line.
While the most likely way they will fill this spot is by signing Jeff Dowtin to an NBA deal and finding someone else to take up their vacant two-way spot, the Raptors might need to make a more explosive and show-stopping move if they want to be taken seriously as a postseason force.
These five players are currently unattached, which could prompt the Raptors to consider making them the newest additions to the squad. These five could play a part in either giving the Raptors more perimeter shooting or beefing up their depth in the interior.
Toronto Raptors rumors: 5 free agents to replace Justin Champagnie.
5. Eric Paschall
Paschall has been a tough chestnut to crack in his professional career. Is his production the product of getting an elevated role on bad teams or a sign that he’s a promising talent that can be an effective role player in the right role? As such, Paschall remains totally unsigned.
Paschall has seen his production decline over the last three years, as he went from a double-digit scorer as a rookie on a bad Warriors team to a role player with Utah last year. While another 6-7 power forward would seem redundant, the Villanova alum has a better 3-point shot than most Raptors.
Eric Paschall could fit the Toronto Raptors.
Paschall shot 37% from 3-point range last year with the Jazz. Replicating those numbers in Toronto would instantly make him one of the best offensive performers on the Raptors. Why not give him the minutes that Juancho Hernangomez is struggling to perform well in?
Paschall is still just 26 years old, so there’s plenty of talent left to be mined by a team with enough patience. He’ll never be a tremendous creator for himself, but a Raptors team that remains unwilling to compromise on their unique defensive structure could take a shot on Pascall.
4. Kent Bazemore
The Raptors need shooters, plain and simple. However, Ujiri likely won’t be able to stomach the idea of adding a player who is going to be a net negative on the defensive end. Bazemore is 33, but he can still be a solid offensive player with enough defensive hustle to cause some problems.
Bazemore has made 37% of his 3-pointers in the last three seasons, establishing himself as a trustworthy veteran who can come right in and be an effective player on a team with playoff hopes. Bazemore could be what Armoni Brooks tried and failed to evolve into last season.
Kent Bazemore will improve the Toronto Raptors’ shooting.
Bazemore, who played for the Kings in the preseason, has averaged 9.2 points per game since his breakout year in Atlanta. More than just a specialist who will stand in the corner and wait for his 3-pointers, Bazemore might give the bench another energetic guard that Nurse could fiddle around with.
Bazemore won’t cost a ton to bring in, has contributed to winning cultures in most of his big spots, and fills a big need for the Raptors. If this spot is going to be used on a veteran, why not let Bazemore get a brief shot with the team as he tries to latch on with one more chance?
3. Derrick Favors
The Raptors signed Khem Birch in order to give their lineup some veteran edge and strength in the paint, but he’s failed to take a step forward offensively. If Toronto can get off that contract in the next few months, they could replace him by signing a player like Favors.
Favors, who started a good chunk of games for the Thunder last season, can still be an effective rebounder and rim protector. If Toronto can find some way to move off Khem Birch, Favors could be a much more effective alternative if Christian Koloko shows more inconsistency.
Derrick Favors could bolster the Toronto Raptors’ bench.
Favors is not going to fit the Raptors’ switchable defense like a glove, but he makes sense as a veteran banger down low that can hoover up rebounds, give Koloko a few pointers, and defend well. he also offers slightly more offensive potential than Birch at this point in their careers.
Favors is too good to go unsigned for the entire season, so the only way that the Raptors can sign him is to be at the front of the line for his services in the next few days. If he plays up to his full potential, Toronto may have sneakily found a keeper for next season.
2. Jeremy Lamb
Lamb is an infamous name north of the border, as he has broken Toronto’s hearts multiple times over with game-winning shots. However, with Lamb currently seeking a team that needs his particular set of skills on the wing, the Raptors must be willing to consider signing him.
Lamb averaged double-digit points per game in four straight seasons with Charlotte and Indiana before moving to Sacramento in the Tyrese Haliburton/Domantas Sabonis deal. Lamb is still worth keeping around as a scorer, even if his role with Toronto is very limited.
Jeremy Lamb makes sense for the Toronto Raptors.
Lamb adds a nitro boost of rim-rocking and shooting to this Raptors team in ways that Champagnie just couldn’t at this stage of his career. While most of the rotation appears to be set in stone, Lamb makes sense as both a short-term upgrade and an insurance policy.
Given his past history, Otto Porter Jr. needs a capable backup that can come in and fill his role if he succumbs to yet another injury. Lamb is the type of player who can shoot like Porter, which could be enough to convince Ujiri that he is worth a roll of the dice for the rest of the year.
1. Josh Jackson
Jackson had a very impressive preseason, but the Raptors decided to move off him before the campaign started in order to keep Champagnie. With the winner of the preseason competition now no longer on the team, could Jackson return to the team?
Jackson had a down season last year, but he had the finest individual season of his career under Dwane Casey’s watch in Detroit in the prior season. Just 25 years old with tons of verticality and untapped quality, Jackson might have the most immediate impact.
The Toronto Raptors have familiarity with Josh Jackson.
Jackson may not have a complete mastery of Toronto’s system, but he should be able to hit the ground running with more success than most players who join the Raptors. Long and rangy on defense, Jackson will be able to hold his own if thrown into the rotation.
Nurse was clearly interested in Jackson, and there is still time to bring him back before another contender with eyes on the prize decided to add the springy wing. The talent he still had in his power was on display in the preseason, and it would be a shame if he displayed it for someone else.