Signing a sharpshooting specialist
The 2024 offseason marked a bittersweet farewell to Gary Trent Jr., who has served as both the starting and occasional backup shooting guard for Toronto over the past few seasons. Despite his shortcomings as a player, particularly his inconsistent shooting streaks that often drew criticism, Gary Trent Jr. proved to be a serviceable asset during his time with the Raptors. With Trent now absent, the starting shooting guard position is likely to be filled by the promising Gradey Dick, who is eager to demonstrate his ability to compete at the highest level. Additionally, Toronto utilized their 19th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft to select Ja'Kobe Walter, a versatile 3-and-D wing from Baylor.
Although both players possess significant talent, Toronto could have benefited from identifying a dynamic sixth man, similar to Lou Williams, to serve as their spark plug. Walter will need some time to establish his hopeful role, while Dick occupies a position in the starting lineup. Therefore, it's advantageous for the team to seek out a proven veteran who can fill that role with confidence and clarity, minimizing any uncertainty or hesitation. As previously mentioned, Toronto struggled significantly in the three-point department, finishing near the bottom of the league.
For instance, Lonnie Walker IV would be an exceptional asset for the Raptors, as he not only demonstrates a proven ability as a sharpshooter but also the skill to drive effectively to the basket. As of this writing, Lonnie Walker IV remains available on the free agency market, but it is uncertain where he will end up by the conclusion of the offseason. Similarly, a player like Eric Gordon could have taken on this role for the Raptors; however, he ultimately signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The key here is you're not putting all your eggs in one basket, it's always a bonus to have proven guys on the roster to help you win now. It's clear Toronto's direction is to elevate the young talent they have currently, mixed in with a bit of veteran presence as well.
However, Toronto currently lacks a sixth man capable of igniting an offensive hot streak. It appears that Bruce Brown will occupy the role of the first man off the bench. However, he is better suited for taking on secondary and tertiary playmaking responsibilities, as well as embodying the hustle and grit-and-grind mentality that the team values.
Consider the successes of various NBA teams as a prime example. Championship rosters typically include at least one exceptional defensive player in their rotation, as well as another capable of shooting lights out on any given night. The ideal scenario is having a player who excels at both defense and shooting, providing an added advantage to the team.
Toronto hopes Ja'Kobe Walter can become the player they need, but in free agency, the team failed to make any significant moves to acquire a win-now player of that caliber. This is truly unfortunate.