Top Raptor Free Agent Targets - At Bargain Prices

So in lieu of the acquisition of Hedo Turkoglu, Devean George, Antoine Wright and the resigning of Andrea Bargnani; Raptors fans should be feeling pretty good as their leader Bryan Colangelo has worked some of his old magic again. I still feel that the Raptors have an opportunity to acquire stronger role players (the bench bunch) so lets look at whose left in the world of free agency.

Current Bench (players that have not accepted or signed are not included)

PF- Reggie Evans

SF- DeMar DeRozan (I don’t think he’ll be a starter to open this year)

 PG- Roko Ukic

SF – Devean George

C- Patrick O’Bryant

SG- Quincy Douby

So I feel that we could use another shooting guard, center, and point guard minimum (personally id pretty much get rid of everyone less Evans, and DeRozan) but let the search begin!

1) Matt Barnes F – Barnes is known in league circles as a marksman that can defend amicably against various forwards in the league. The Raptors would be signing him for his 3 point shooting ability and to be gunner on the second unit. Barnes would be relitavily inexpensive and a two year commitment plus a mutual option should be enough to entice him to come north of the border. Signing Expectation: 2 Years\5 Million plus option could be 3 years\8.5 Million.

2) Luther Head G – Head is a personal favorite, as he can play either guard postion increasing his flexibility to be inserted at various points during the game. Head is another decent three point shooter (albeit not as good as Barnes) that can create his own shot, play defense and is improving his point guard skills – he’s everything you look for in a backup not to mention his youth and low milage. Signing Expectation: 4 Years/10 Million or even 3 Years plus an option.

3) Rasho Nesterovic – C – Rasho is an older player one who enjoyed his stay in Toronto, and simply because Bargnani may still have some issues with foul trouble this year Rasho is still capable of playing 10-15 minutes a game, making some great passes, rebounding the ball and providing that all-important veteran leadership. Signing Expectation: 1 Year/1.2 Million with a player option.

4) Ime Udoka – SF\SG – Udoka is a premier defender that hasn’t necessarily gotten his due in the NBA (probably has to do with playing in San Antonio). He could be the “lockdown” defender that this team needs he also is a bit older (32) and would not require a long term commitment. As an added bonus he has learned to shoot the corner three (again not with much consistency as previous years) Signing Expectation: 2 Years/ 4 Million.

So any combination of Rasho, Head, and Barnes can be had for various pieces of the mid-level exception. I understand rumor has it that Delfino is coming back, and I am not saying he shouldn’t or won’t but until he signs he’s not a Raptor – just someone they have the rights to. I suppose in the perfect world that we’d be able to add him and basically trade away George, and release Douby. No offense to them but they are marginal NBA players and if we want to put the best team on the floor they have to go. Think about it:

Potential Bench

PF –Reggie Evans

SF – DeMar DeRozan

C- Rasho Nesterovic

G- Luther Head

F- Matt Barnes

G – Carlos Delfino

C- Patrick O’Bryant (ideally he’d be waived but sometimes you don’t get what you want)

Doesn’t that look better? Wouldn’t the expectations that bench fit one of a contender?

Are you really going to say that Head-Barnes duo beat a Douby-George one?

I’ve always maintained the Raptors need to build some depth on their bench and seeing Channing Frye sign for two years and 3.8 Million (with PHO today) makes me believe that there is NO excuse for Colangelo to put together a better bench than he has now. Do you disagree?