3 Former Raptors who could return for cheap in free agency
By Nolan Fluke
2. Yuta Watanabe
Most recently a Raptor, Watanabe finished a lone season in Brooklyn as a rather productive rotation forward. Scoring just 5.6 points per game, Watanabe shot 44% on 2.3 3PA in 58 games off the bench. An upgrade from his seasons in Toronto, Watanabe found his rhythm with the Nets.
The former fan favorite could bring back valuable assets to the team in a rotation role. His size on defense could assist with the team’s defensive culture, his developing shooting could help fix as an outside team, and his rebounding off the bench would be most appreciated.
Yuta Watanabe could return to the Toronto Raptors.
Watanabe credits the Raptors for bringing him success in his career, and it could most definitely be a place he could continue. His last contract was minimum in the amount of $1.8 million, likely to be inflated due to his excellent shooting season. If the Raptors were to bring him back into the rotation, the checkbook might have to write another zero.
If it means the Raptors can add a wing with size and the ability to shoot, any amount of money would be worth it. Plus, fans loved Watanabe, and this fanbase would be ecstatic for his return.