5 Players The Raptors Should Pursue In Free Agency
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I think most Raptor fans knew before the season started that this team wasn't one that was capable of winning a title this season, even after setting a team record in wins with 49, fans like myself didn't change their stance. Optimism flowed, but the expectations of a championship were not realistic. Now we're left wondering what this team needs to even get out of the first round. 3 spots in the starting rotation are locked in with Lowry, DeRozan, and Valanciunas, but the Raptors need to figure out what they are going to do with the SF and PF spots. Terrence Ross has not lived up to the expectiations of being the #8 overall pick 3 years ago, as he's been relegated to being just a spot up shooter with sub-par defense. As for the PF spot, Amir Johnson is going into free agency and it looks like he could be on his last legs. While he is a fan favorite in Toronto, he's had ankle problems going on 2 years now, and the Raptors could just let Patrick Patterson slide into the starting role and letting Amir walk, but there are plenty of options the Raptors could go after now that they will have over $16 million in cap space.
1. Tristan Thompson
Tristan Thompson in this years playoffs broke out in a huge way, making his decision to turn down a 4 year deal worth $52 Million deal before the season a good one. He's a long and lanky player that's full of energy and a menace on the boards, which would make him exactly what the Raptors need. Basically a younger version of Amir Johnson, the Raptors could bring him in and immediately start him alongside Jonas Valanciunas. He doesn't provide much in terms of spacing the floor, but with a guard oriented offense that relies a lot on the production of DeRozan and Lowry, they wouldn't need him to provide much in terms of creating offense or outside shooting. DeRozan and Lowry aren't the most efficient shooters in the league and having a rebounder like Thompson on the front lines would be a huge benefit for this team. Being Canadian doesn't hurt the case for signing Thompson either.
2. Wesley Matthews
Wesley Matthews is one of the most underrated players in the league today. He's an incredibly efficient 3 point shooter, and a pretty good defender on the wings. As I mentioned above, Terrence Ross has not lived up to expectations as the starting SF, and would be better off possibly replacing Lou Williams in the 6 man role. Wesley Matthews could step and and spread the floor the way Ross should have, and would be able to defend the other team's best player and take some pressure of of DeMar. The big question surrounding Matthews is if he'll be able to regain his form after tearing his ACL just a few months ago.
3. DeMarre Carroll
Just before this season started, I didn't think much of DeMarre Carroll as a player. Didn't think a team that had Carroll in the starting lineup would amount to much especially in the playoffs. But watching him play this season, he's improved a ton. Like I said about Matthews, Carroll is a great defensive player on the wings that isn't afraid to go and defend the other team's best player, and has greatly improved his stroke from 3. Raptors need a 3 and D player and Carroll has turned into that kind of player.
4. Danny Green
Danny Green made himself a household name in the 2014 NBA Finals when he went off from 3 against the Miami Heat. Green isn't the same caliber defensive player that Matthews is, but he's a much better 3 point shooter. I do wonder if it is just him being a benefactor of the Spurs system, but I think that's a question that many teams will also have, which will likely lessen his market value.
5. Paul Pierce
As a Raptors fan it kills me to say this after watching Pierce terrorize them the last 2 playoffs, but the Raptors NEED a player like Paul Pierce. Sure he's not what he was back in his prime, but we all saw what he did this past season with the Wizards. He showed John Wall and Bradley Beal what it takes to win, the mentality you need to have, he brought a swagger to that team they never had before, and even if he leaves them this summer, they'll be better from the experience he brought. That kind of experience was shown first hand in the Wizards sweep over the Raptors. He could also be player that could show not only DeMar, but Ross and JV what you need to do to become a winner in this league.
Although Toronto might not be a prime free agent destination, players should know that this is a team that is only one or 2 pieces away from becoming a contender. Some of the players mentioned above are already in great positions and could very well be staying with their respective teams. But I don't underestimate the clout that Masai Ujiri has in this league, and with the All-Star game coming to Toronto to this season, players should be looking at Toronto as a potential home.
