Title: Raptors free agent targets: Looking for value depth plays for the back of the guard rotation
Date: July 26, 2021
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I took a look at the free agent market for guards and where the Raptors could fortify their backcourt this offseason.
It’s entirely possible the Raptors won’t need to shore up their backcourt in any serious way this offseason.
A combination of retaining Kyle Lowry and selecting a guard with the No. 4 pick would pair two high-end pieces with holdovers Fred VanVleet and Malachi Flynn. Maybe you want to bookmark this piece for a post-Lowry or post-Evan Mobley scenario, where the guard depth chart doesn’t look as well-stocked. Maybe you can’t handle the thought of another season where things break poorly and DeAndre’ Bembry has to start a game as a pseudo point guard and want all the depth the team can muster.
Whatever the case, there are interesting reinforcements at a few different price points. If the Raptors go expensive at the position, it will make the most sense to just try to retain Lowry. If not, there should be some third point guard types of interest. We’re splitting hairs between “guard” and “wing” in some cases, but there should also be some scoring-oriented off-guards if the Raptors feel they’re still a little light on shot-creation after the draft.
Blake Murphy Sports Writing 