Now that the initial sting of dropping a Game 7 in the first round of the playoffs is in the rear view, it’s time to look at some of the needs surrounding this Toronto Raptors squad.
With a team that might not have realized their identity at the beginning of the season, we’ve learned a lot about who the Raptors really are. They established themselves as an elite defence in the league, finishing top 5 in defensive rating (112.1) as well as 4th in steals and blocks to boot.
It’s the offensive end of the floor however that has a little more cause for concern. We saw this team struggle in the half court where it was difficult for them to knock down threes. This has to be one of the main areas of focus heading into the offseason as the Raptors finished 21st in 3-point percentage. Mind you, they also took the 5th fewest 3-point attempts at 32.1 per game.
There are a few pressing matters that will have to be addressed by the front office in the offseason.
Re-signing Sandro Mamukelashvili needs to be a priority for the aforementioned reasons. He was a breakout signing that will go down as one of the better value pickups from last offseason, but the Raptors can’t afford to lose his ability to knock down threes, especially at his size. To have your big off the bench score the third most threes on your team is incredibly hard to find in this league.
However, there’s a chance the Raptors aren’t as motivated as we’d hope to keep him around, or another team outbids what Toronto can offer. Perhaps, Toronto addresses their needs for a Mamu-type player with the 19th pick in this year's draft.
Regardless of what happens with Sandro Mamukelashvili, the Raptors should look to provide depth with three-point shooting.
Yes, there would likely be subsequent moves in order for salaries to work, but here are a few free agent options that Toronto could eye to help out their scoring off the bench.
Three options the Raptors may entertain in free agency
(G) Anfernee Simons
The Raptors could definitely use some help at the guard position. While the progression and growth of Jamal Shead and Ja’Kobe Walter are appreciated, Toronto needs help with knocking down threes in the half court and creating instant offense for himself.
That’s where a player like Anfernee Simons would help solve some of those needs.
After landing with Chicago at the deadline after his short stint with Boston, it is unlikely that we’ll see him in a Bulls jersey next year. Toronto could entertain a MLE for a player like Simons who cashed in for 14.3 PPG off of 44% shooting from the field and 38.5% from deep.
(G) Coby White
Almost every team needs a microwave scorer like Coby White off the bench. We saw him do this in stretches with the Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls last season where he too was dealt at the deadline in a shuffling of Chicago guards that also included Anfernee Simons.
We’ll likely see Charlotte either retain White or plug in a player like Simons into their system. The Raptors should look at either or as an option. Yes, you’re not getting elite defenders with either guard option, but the shooting is what offsets both of these free agent options.
(F) Harrison Barnes
This could be an interesting option should the Raptors elect to not bring back veteran UFA Garrett Temple. They may move in a direction to use his roster spot on someone more serviceable that brings a ‘player-coach’ mentorship approach.
Harrison Barnes would be that fit.
He’s a reliable and efficient scoring option. We’ve seen his minutes decline in recent years and especially in this years’ playoffs, so should San Antonio elect to move off of Barnes the Raptors could use his 38.8% three-point shooting.
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