Part of the reason the Toronto Raptors struggled to get any sort of consistency from their forwards. Rather than their Vision 6-9 philosophy confusing their league, they merely amassed a collection of uneven forwards that didn’t have the offensive creativity to thrive.
While Toronto will likely bring most of those players back next season, the Raptors can’t neglect the position. With Thad Young likely coming off the books in some form or fashion, Toronto needs to look to free agency to find a replacement with a better ceiling in 2023.
While Chris Boucher was a solid player last season, he could be used as a potential trade chip to improve the backcourt. If that ends up becoming reality, acquiring a new forward must be a necessity, rather than a luxury Masai Ujiri can put on the backburner in the early stages of free agency.
No matter when the Raptors choose to pursue this important line of inquiry, this trio of forwards all look like solid frontcourt additions that can supplement what could be a very promising depth chart if Ujiri surrounds them with a few extra complementary pieces.
Toronto Raptors free agency: 3 forwards to sign for depth.
3. Dario Saric
After starting his career with the Trust the Process 76ers, the last few seasons with the Suns have shown the rest of the league that Saric can be an effective role player on a team with eyes on a championship. Saric averaged 8.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in Phoenix, all with a serious leg injury mixed in.
The concerns with Saric all stem from his injury, as he averaged just 6.4 points per game and hasn’t scored more than double-digits in points per game since the bubble season. His value is low, but the Raptors might be willing to take a chance on him and rehabilitate his status.
Dario Saric could get back with the Toronto Raptors.
The Raptors might be a good spot for Saric if they can give him a defined role. He is still an above-average 3-point shooter and a better finisher inside than the numbers will give him credit for. He was never the bounciest athlete, so his style of play post-injury won’t be too different.
Saric will be a cheap player that can provide shooting and scoring. While Young had veteran leadership and defensive versatility, the fact that he fell completely out of the rotation could serve as a sign that his best playing day are well and truly in the past, sadly.