It finally seemed like the Raptors were primed to take down LeBron, but that was before DeMar Derozan choked again while LeBron dominated playing the best basketball of his career. The Raptors have very little cap space to work with but a few trades could change that. They need to address their leadership, toughness, three-point shooting and defence to really have a shot at competing in the improving Eastern Conference. Here are some players that should be on the Raptors radar in no specific order come July 1st.
Fred VanVleet:
8.6 PTS 2.4 RB 3.2 AST 0.9 STL 0.3 BLK
The first thing to do on the Raptors' list of off-season moves is to bring back the leader of their bench mob. In his second season, Fred VanVleet was nominated for sixth man of the year carrying the Raptors bench while playing crucial 4th quarter minutes for the East's number one squad. Toronto may need to trade Serge Ibaka or Norman Powell to bring him back but it would probably be worth it. VanVleet was missed dearly in the playoffs as the bench was not the same without him versus the Wizards.
Wayne Ellington:
11.2 PTS 2.8 RB 1.0 AST 0.7 STL 0.1 BLK
Wayne Ellington carved Toronto up from three-point land in their final game of the regular season and Toronto had no answer for him from behind the arc. To fix their three-point shooting woes, they should look to bring him in. To clear up the cap space, they could possibly do a sign and trade with their sharpshooter CJ Miles who disappointed in his first season north of the border.
Marcus Smart:
10.2 PTS 3.5 RB 4.8 AST 1.3 STL 0.4 BLK
Marcus Smart ranks among the very best defensive guards in the league playing lock down the perimeter and even switching onto bigger players. He is also capable offensively as he moves the ball well even though he lacks efficiency. It is highly unlikely Smart would join a division rival and he is probably way over the price range Toronto could pay.
Luc Mbah a Moute:
7.5 PTS 3.0 RB 0.9 AST 1.2 STL 0.4 BLK
Luc Mbah a Moute's calling card is his ability to lock down the perimeter and guard multiple positions which would be key for the Raptors come playoff time. He can also knock down three pointers on offence which would help Toronto. If LeBron sticks out East, they could turn to him to try and take down the King.
Lucas Nogueira:
2.5 PTS 1.8 RB 0.4 AST 0.5 STL 0.9 BLK
Lucas Nogueira is the perfect third center: he does not need regular playing time and can make an impact in sparse minutes off the bench. When Dwane Casey would give him minutes, Nogueira usually responded by blocking every shot in the paint or throwing down lob passes. He may get lost on defence sometimes but Toronto will miss him if he moves on to a place where he could pursue a larger role.
Marco Belinelli:
12.1 PTS 1.9 RB 1.9 AST 0.8 STL 0.2 BLK
Seeing the damage Marco Belinelli did in the playoffs for Philly this past April and May makes Toronto look bad for not signing him off the buyout market. Belinelli is one of the league's elite shooters who can seamlessly shoot from anywhere outside the three-point line. He lacks defence but his shooting mentality for go a long way in spreading the floor.
Patrick Beverley:
12.2 PTS 4.1 RB 2.9 AST 1.6 STL 0.5 BLK
Patrick Beverley almost missed all of last season with an injury so he may be cheap on the market despite the fact he may be the best defensive point guard in the league. Getting into the face of everyone he guards while contributing on the offensive end is a rare gift in today's NBA. If Toronto loses VanVleet they should look for Beverley to fill his role as backup point guard.
Vince Carter:
5.4 PTS 2.6 RB 1.2 AST 0.7 STL 0.4 BLK
Vince Carter recently said he wants to play one more season in the NBA. The Raptors should bring him back to allow Vinsanity to retire in the place where he started his legendary NBA career full of ferocious dunks. Even if he rarely sees the floor, he can provide leadership and he can still shoot the three ball which is key in today's NBA.
Mario Hezonja:
9.6 PTS 3.7 RB 1.4 AST 1.1 STL 0.4 BLK
Mario Hezonja has not lived up to the potential which made him a fifth-overall pick but he still contributes off the bench. He can shoot the three while also scoring at the rim. Hezonja still has some of the potential somewhere and maybe playing for a playoff team would help to get the most out of the Croatian.
Doug McDermott:
7.8 PTS 2.5 RB 1.0 AST 0.3 STL 0.2 BLK
McDermott is another one of this free agency classes' better three-point shooters as he rained threes for New York and Dallas this past season. His defence can be an issue sometimes and as he is not quite the shooter Belinelli or Ellington is, the Raptors may have to pass on him. He would come at a cheap price though so if Toronto can add him as a low salary it would be worth it.
Channing Frye:
5.0 PTS 2.5 RB 0.7 AST 0.3 STL 0.2 BLK
If Nogueira does not return next year, the Raptors should look at Channing Frye as the third center. He lit up Toronto from three for two straight playoffs and would spread the floor from the five which the Raptors don't have right now. He would also bring championship pedigree to Toronto as he won with Cleveland in 2016.
LeBron James:
LeBron is the best player in the NBA and as a free agent he has the option to go to whatever team he pleases. That team will not be the Raptors but every team should have LeBron on their list of free agent targets as he is one of the greatest of all time. If LeBron came north of the border for one season it would make up for the amount of times he has crushed Raptors hearts in the playoffs.
27.5 PTS 8.6 RB 9.1 AST 1.4 STL 0.9 BLK
Photo credit for Fred VanVleet goes to https://www.raptorsrepublic.com/. Wayne Ellington goes to https://www.si.com/. Marcus Smart and Patrick Beverley goes to https://www.slamonline.com/. Luc Mbah a Moute goes to https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/. Lucas Nogueira, Vince Carter, Mario Hezonja and Doug McDermott goes to https://ca.nba.com/?gr=www. Marco Belinelli goes to https://twitter.com/. Channing Frye goes to https://cavsnation.com/. LeBron James goes to https://www.cbssports.com/.
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