Three players that the Toronto Raptors ought to sign this summer in free agency
Using the draft is one way to reorganize the roster, and Toronto may have up to three valuable picks to do so. Another is by trade; several players on the team are expected to be moved this summer.
The Raptors’ lackluster performance in free agency in prior years makes it the third entrance. While the guys who signed in Toronto were mostly role players, players like Kawhi Leonard and Fred VanVleet were able to enter the league through free agency. Toronto is not considered a top choice for NBA stars, despite its size and multiculturalism.
Even so, the Raptors’ location, cap flexibility, and youthful potential may attract a star to the city. It won’t be the very best star, though, because those players won’t be switching clubs this summer. Could they recruit a former star or even a lower-tier talent to help them win? It’s definitely a possibility.
We’ll examine three established players to evaluate how they would suit on the Raptors should they want to go north of the border.
No. 3: Klay Thompson
Although Klay Thompson was a starter on the 2022 championship team, his battle to recover from his two serious leg injuries will always be remembered as a success story. However, it is evident that Thompson is not the same athlete that he once was. His downturn has caused the Golden State Warriors to bench him and lessen his contribution to the club.
The Toronto Raptors would undoubtedly love to have Klay Thompson in his prime, but they also need to add shooting because they have a lot of shot creators and Klay is one of the league’s best shooters, even as he gets older. His ability to get hot and take over a game would be a great complement to Scottie’s methodical, less violent style of scoring.
The Raptors may be able to outbid other suitors and pay Thompson without having to use all of their funds because Thompson is not anticipated to be seeking maximum compensation. He would provide a wealth of championship experience to the team’s culture and may start for a few games before moving to the bench.
No. 2: Jrue Holiday
Putting together a roster of players that adhere to a winning philosophy for both offense and defense is a necessary step in building a competitive club. The Toronto Raptors added players like Kelly Olynyk, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley in an attempt to address the offensive concerns.
What is the defense strategy? That is a more ambiguous question. Though Jakob Poeltl and Scottie Barnes make a fearsome duo, most of the rotation is offensively oriented or has defenders who are completely incapable of playing defense. An impact perimeter defender who preserves the team’s ability to respond offensively must be a part of their future plan.
This summer, Jrue Holiday is a terrific player to pursue. He is a skillful off-ball player accustomed to playing off of explosive scoring forwards and has a steady hand with the ball. In terms of defense, he excels as a team defender and as an expert on-ball defender of wings and guards. Holiday could win another championship this year with the league-leading Boston Celtics. He has an amazing amount of postseason experience and won one with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021.
But given how pricey the Celtics will be in the future, it’s not out of the question that they would let Holiday walk or provide an offer to him at a lesser salary in order to preserve their capacity to assemble a strong team in the future. In that case, the Raptors might try to sign him this summer.
No. 1: Paul George
The Toronto Raptors might have between $45 and $48 million in cap space if they allow Bruce Brown and Gary Trent Jr. to enter free agency. That might change depending on whether they hold onto their first-round pick or not, but it puts them in the running for a big contract offer.
George may choose not to play again if the Los Angeles Clippers have a terrible seasonโwhich is always possible given their mix of player injuries and franchise incompetence. If so, he may sign with the Philadelphia 76ers as their third option or attempt to play as option 1A or 1B for a team like the Toronto Raptors.
George can complement almost any other player, which makes him such a valued and sought-after talent. His shooting, playmaking, ball handling, and scoring abilities can be matched with a high volume center, a pound-it-out point guard, or other perimeter studs. Though he is no longer as good defensively as he once was, he is still a good wing stopper.
The best option for Toronto to get back into the playoffs the next season would be to sign a guy like Paul George. Early in his deal, he could be the best option, but he could also play a supporting role to Scottie Barnes later on. George can start at the two position if the Raptors want to go big, or they can move him down to the three position and use him as a guard.
Like any other veteran star, George is not likely to join with Toronto. That is history’s regrettable lesson. But if one does, Thompson, George, and Holiday would all be beneficial additions to the group.