After spending the last two seasons torn between trying to compete and trying to rebuild, Toronto Raptors finally chose a side when they traded two of the last remaining players from their 2019 championship team with Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby. These trades marked the Raptors’ shift toward a rebuild around rising star Scottie Barnes. It also meant a relatively quiet offseason for the Raptors with mostly internal signings NBA Free Agency.
With Barnes as the new face of the franchise, the Raptors moved quickly to to sign him to a long-term contract extension once the offseason came around. And once NBA free agency came around, the Raptors took care of their top priority which was restricted free agent Immanuel Quickley.
But after signing Quickley, the Raptors had a quiet offseason. They made some sideline moves and will likely have to fight through training camp to decide a roster spot or two. That said, here are the full grades on each of the Raptors’ free agency signings.
Immanuel Quickley is a fundamental part of the Raptors
When the Raptors decided to trade OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks, Immanuel Quickley was one of the players they received in return. Once the offseason was over, Quickley entered restricted free agency. But the Raptors ensured that their young winger would remain on their roster for the foreseeable future by signing him to a five-year, $175 million contract.
When Quickley arrived in Toronto, he made an immediate impact. He played 38 games for the Raptors at a career-high 33 minutes per game. He averaged 18.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 6.8 assists, all career highs. He shot 42.2 percent from the field, 39.5 percent from three-point range and 84.1 percent from the free throw line.
Quickley was always a Sixth Man of the Year contender with the Knicks, but he thrived in a full-time starting role with the Raptors. And he’s young enough that he still has room to grow. With Barnes as a franchise player, the Raptors need other capable players around him. Quickley is exactly that, a starting-caliber combo guard. The Raptors did well to keep him on the team. Arguably, the Raptors may have overpaid a bit, but that’s the deal these days.
Final grade: B
Garrett Temple is the leader of the Raptors locker room
The other notable signing in free agency for the Raptors was the return of veteran point guard Garrett Temple. Temple will enter his second season with the Raptors after arriving as a free agent in the 2023 offseason. Temple’s contract is a minimum deal, but his value extends beyond his contract.
Every team needs adults in the locker room and for a team like the Raptors that is heading into a rebuild with several young players, Temple is exactly what they need. He is the type of player who will keep an NBA job for as long as he wants. He is entering his 16th year in the NBA.
Temple has played for 12 teams in his NBA career and has always been a quality backup point guard with a knack for defense. If he wants it, there will likely be a spot on the bench on a coaching staff for Temple when he decides to retire. But until then, he will continue to play a significant role in the Raptors locker room.
Final grade: A
Bruno Fernando gets new opportunity with Raptors
The Raptors currently have 14 guaranteed contracts on their roster, leaving one spot open before the start of the season. It’s possible the Raptors could leave that spot open in case something else materializes when teams make cuts in training camps.
But if the Raptors decide to fill that last spot during camp, Bruno Fernando could have a leg up on that opportunity. The Raptors have a few players under contract in former Detroit Piston Jared Rhoden, former Big 10 star Jamison Battle and maybe a few others. But Fernando is the only one with extensive NBA experience.
The 34th overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, Fernando has played for four teams in his career and has been a pretty decent backup center. He filled in well for the Hawks last season when they were hit by injuries in the frontcourt, but the team opted to cut him this offseason.
Related NewsThe article continues below
The Raptors have Jakob Poeltl as their starting center and Kelly Olynyk as their backup. The Raptors also have Chris Boucher on their roster, who has about $10 million guaranteed for next season. That means the odds may not be great for Fernando, but there’s still a ways to go before the season starts.
Final grade: C
Branden Carlson is a prospect to develop for the Raptors
The last notable free agent the Raptors signed this offseason was undrafted rookie Branden Carlson from the University of Utah. The Raptors signed Carlson to a two-way contract following the conclusion of the 2024 NBA Draft.
Since two-way contracts don’t count against the salary cap, teams can trade players at will. But assuming Carlson keeps his two-way roster spot, he’ll spend the majority of his season in the G League with Raptors 905.
Carlson was impressive in Summer League, showing a knack for protecting the basket defensively. He can also space the floor with his outside shooting. Overall, he’s not a bad prospect to watch for the Raptors.
Final grade: B
