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.
2. Jalen McDaniels
While Nick Nurse might be gone, it will be very unlikely that Masai Ujiri will totally abandon the philosophies that currently form the basis of this roster construction. Switchable defenders are still in vogue for him, and McDaniels is an ideal player to fit Ujiri’s archetype.
After averaging 10.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game with the Hornets, McDaniels sniped over 40% of his 3-pointers with the 76ers. However, the 76ers might not be able to bring him back on a contract that compensates him well, assuming James Harden is retained, or a player of a similar ilk replaces him.
Jalen McDaniels is a Toronto Raptors scheme fit.
McDaniels’ role on offense will likely be a catch-and-shoot threat from beyond the 3-point line. While he isn’t the second coming of Kevin Durant, shooting as he did with Philly and the 2021-22 season with Charlotte would be a major kick in the butt for this team.
He isn’t an amazing scorer, but he can get the job done if you need him to. Think of him as a younger, upgraded version of Chris Boucher. If Boucher is going to be a trade chip, getting McDaniels could help this roster’s defensive infrastructure stay together for the next couple of seasons.
1. Naz Reid
Reid is admittedly a high-end option that will likely be retained by the Timberwolves this offseason, but the Raptors could become spenders in the right situation. More than just a depth piece, Reid could become the best bench player on the Raptors as he hits his prime.
Reid, who started to emerge as a quality small-ball center on both ends, averaged 11.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game last season. A consistent 34% 3-point shooter, Reid has shown he can hold his own away from the basket and shut up some of the pre-draft haters.
Naz Reid looks like a solid Toronto Raptors fit.
While the Wolves were often better when Reid was off the court, that is due to the fact that Minnesota’s bench was bled dry by the Rudy Gobert and D’Angelo Russell trades. Toronto’s bench is still bad, but Reid might be the supercharger they need to improve.
The Raptors could get the best out of Reid if they sign him very early in free agency and put a ton of time and effort into adding new facets to his game. Still just 23 years old, Reid is poised to potentially improve to a point where he could end up as a long-term starter option.