Toronto Raptors: Five Shooters To Target In Free Agency
Even though there’s a clear and present need for more perimeter shooting, the entirety of the Raptors summer revolves around re-signing Kyle Lowry.
The Toronto Raptors are coming off the back of yet another disappointing post-season, and will look to re-tool their roster in free agency despite limited cap room. Schematically, the Raptors are going to need to sign some outside shooters as DeMarre Carroll has seriously declined, and PJ Tucker and Patrick Patterson are both hitting free agency.
Patterson is expected to get a huge deal somewhere else due to his value as a two-way player, so the Raptors will likely have to look for a stretch four, and they will also need to add other shooters to the back court.
The Raptors offence was broken in the post-season as it lacked flexibility and dynamism, so big changes are needed if they are to become serious competitors in the Eastern Conference. Dwane Casey has put a lot of emphasis on adding three point shooting to the offence, and also in potentially adding players who can play that role.
I am of the belief the Raptors problems are with the tactics, as opposed to the personnel, but adding some extra shooters would not hurt, and a stretch four is obviously a gigantic need for a Raptors team that are desperate to try and stamp their mark on the post-season.
The Raptors are an intriguing team in free agency, because absolutely everything depends on Kyle Lowry. Reports recently circulated that Kyle Lowry would have ‘no interest’ in re-signing with Toronto, although he did discount the rumors on Twitter, which creates a confusing situation. Lowry will most probably test the market as teams such as San Antonio and Minnesota are apt to show interest, and he may be tempted to move out West in search of a new challenge.
Even if Lowry does leave Toronto, three-point shooting is still something that will be addressed in free agency, as they want to surround DeMar DeRozan with as much three-point shooting as possible.
In his post draft availability presser, Masai Ujiri told reporters that he believes three-point shooting can be developed internally. This shows he expects youngsters such as Norman Powell, Delon Wright, Pascal Siakm and Fred VanVleet to be pivotal players from beyond the arc next year. Also he feels the Raptors have to get creative with the guys they currently have, as opposed to making big splashes. Even with this, it would not be surprising to see one or two players added to Toronto’s roster.
Below are some free agents that the Raptors should target in order to provide the de-facto offensive coordinator Nick Nurse with some weapons.
Aaron Afflalo:
Aaron Afflalo has quietly been one of the better shooters in the NBA over the last five or six years, and he was a big reason why the Sacramento Kings were such an effective perimeter team last year. He shot 41% from three, and this was hardly out of the norm for him as he shot 38% and 40% in the previous two years. Afflalo is primarily a spot-up shooter, which makes him a great fit in Toronto. The Raptors already have enough ball handlers, and just need players who hit wide open looks.
Ben McLemore:
McLemore has not reached the potential he came out of college with. However, there is still potential there, as he has stagnated amongst the chaos that has overtaken the Kings in recent years. McLemore is not going to be a first or second option as he was predicted to be. But he still has value as an off-the-ball bench shooter next to the likes of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.
McLemore is a very limited player, but as a pure shooter he fits well in Toronto.They already have players who are capable of working on the ball. It must also be noted that Toronto’s player development staff are a lot better than Sacramento’s have been for the last few years. So, he may actually inch closer to his real potential. That said, he ranked in the 78th percentile as a spot-up shooter, which was higher than the majority of Toronto’s players.
Vince Carter:
This is one of the riskier options as he is 40 years old, but Vince Carter showed no signs of decline last season, and he can still be very valuable in a limited role. A return to Toronto is something that would delight the loyal Raptors fanbase, and this could be a great option for both teams as Carter probably only has one or two years left. Moreover, and it would be a nice way to end his career.
Carter shot 38% from beyond the arc last year, and he was also a plus defender which is a necessity when you play for the Memphis Grizzlies. This option is an attractive one because it cost effective, and would perhaps leave the Raptors with room to sign someone else.
Anthony Tolliver:
The Raptors still need a stretch four. even if they do re-sign Serge Ibaka, as they don’t have any centers capable of being a reliable mid-range shooter which seriously limits floor spacing. Side note: this despite reports from @TTOTambz Pascal Siacam is lighting it up from behind the arc at the Biosteel Practice Facility — as he’ll still have to deliver in game. Siakam will be in Vegas with the Raptors Summer League roster along with fellow rookies Fred VanVleet and Jakob Poeltl. This alone offers intrigue to watch the Vegas Summer League to see if further tangible evidence can be offered.
Anthony Tolliver has been a very underrated role player for the last couple of seasons, and he is a better defender than he often gets credit for. Tolliver has shot 36% or higher from beyond the arc in each of his last five seasons, and he would be a perfect fit for the Raptors as a corner spot-up shooter.
PJ Tucker:
The Raptors should really be prioritizing PJ Tucker over DeMarre Carroll, as he is a far superior player. Even if Carroll remains, the Raptors should do what they can to bring back PJ Tucker. With Tucker he provides two way value, plus assuming the Raptors move to a more dynamic offence (as suggested), Tucker provides value with his great off-ball movement.
That said, there will be a big market for Tucker as he represents a desired commodity. — wings that can switch onto power forwards. Moreover, versatile wings who can play and defend multiple positions are equally as rare as they are valuable. However, if Masai Ujiri makes the proprer moves Toronto should be able to offer a reasonable deal to bring him back.
