The Toronto Raptors came out of the 2023 NBA Draft with their heads held high after Kansas wing Gradey Dick managed to fall to them at No. 13 overall. Dick is a shooter who can attack the basket when needed, making him the type of player Toronto needs in the worst way.
After Toronto missed out on Cason Wallace and decided to pass over names like Kobe Bufkin and Keyonte George, the Raptors sent the clearer signal yet that they are all-in on trying to bring back Fred VanVleet. With or without their veteran leader, they need to make sure that they can bring in more offensive talent.
Scoring and offensive electricity should be prioritized in free agency, as Dick isn’t going to be the bench game-changer that many expect him to be if he has to do everything by himself. Toronto will have enough cap space to make at least one move that can help in this area.
These three free agents are all within the Raptors’ price range, provide excellent offensive skills in one way or another, and give Dick a bench running mate he can be proud of during his rookie season. Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster’s offseason work is far from finished.
3 Toronto Raptors free agent targets that fit with Gradey Dick.
3. Gabe Vincent, Miami Heat
Vincent has been a hot name in the last few weeks, as the Heat Culture superstar seems like the perfect type of player for a Raptors team that is eyeing both a cost-effective player and a point guard that help accentuate what Dick has brought to the table.
Vincent was a bit uneven in the playoffs, as he tore it up in the Eastern Conference and started off hot in the NBA Finals before he went ice cold in the next three games. Still, the fact he managed to outperform even the most optimistic projections might get some believing that he could do the same in Toronto.
Gabe Vincent could join the Toronto Raptors.
There is a chance that Vincent ends up being a system player who doesn’t thrive once the Erik Spoelstra magic touch is gone, but the Raptors should have some degree of confidence in their ability to stomach such a pick.
With Darko Rajakovic fresh off turning Tyus Jones into one of the best basketball bench guards and a player viewed as an adequate headliner for Washington in the Marcus Smart/Kristaps Porzingis trade, a player like Vincent could be right in his wheelhouse.
While Dick should be a tremendous scorer and young prospect who can aid in Toronto’s remaking on the offensive end, the Raptors might find it very difficult to get adequate backup depth behind VanVleet, or whomever the presumed starter is. Vincent will help alleviate that.
2. Jaylen Nowell, Minnesota Timberwolves
You can count the number of games Nowell has started on one hand, but that won’t prevent teams from giving him a substantial offer if the opportunity presents itself. Nowell averaged a career-best 10.8 points per game under former Raptors assistant Chris Finch.
Nowell is not the best 3-point shooter, but he does give Toronto a surplus of creativity and energy off the bench. With Toronto in dire need of both those traits, and Minnesota potentially getting priced out of his range, Nowell might be able to find a second home in Toronto.
The Toronto Raptors should consider Jaylen Nowell.
Nowell will need to share the ball a bit more, but he has shown some very impressive passing skills that should make teams like the Raptors optimistic that more are in there. With Dick on the wing, Nowell should be able to find him for open 3-pointers consistently.
In addition to the Dick selection giving Toronto a player that would work well alongside Nowell, the former Washington guard might be an ideal cost-effective replacement if VanVleet leaves. While not Plan A, Nowell should at least get a look from the Raptors.
1. Donte DiVinzenco, Golden State Warriors.
DiVincenzo has been a personal favorite of mine, if you will forgive the editorializing. With Chris Paul coming to Golden State and the Warriors likely pay a very steep price in order to keep many of their big names on the roster, DiVincenzo may not be able to return to San Francisco.
What makes DiVincenzo such a reasonable target for the Raptors, with or without using the mid-level exception on him, is the fact that he can be trusted to both handle the ball and shoot it well from 3-point range. That unique combination should get Masai Ujiri interested.
Donte DiVincenzo can fit with Gradey Dick.
Both DiVinzenco and Dick are terrific shooters who can pile up the points in a hurry without needing the ball in their hands all the time. That trait will make them welcome on a Raptors team that often found it very difficult to spread around the ball-handling time and shot diets evenly last season.
A bench unit consisting primarily of DiVincenzo, Dick, and Precious Achiuwa at the tip of the spear with Chris Boucher and Christian Kolokoin supporting roles would be a force to be reckoned with. Ujiri just needs to be proactive in chasing the former Villanova star’s signature.