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NBA Free Agency: Grading all 30 teams on signings and trades

By Josh Cornelissen

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 29: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors waves to his family during a game against the Sacramento Kings at Amalie Arena on January 29, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 29: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors waves to his family during a game against the Sacramento Kings at Amalie Arena on January 29, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. /
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NBA Free Agency
NBA free agency Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images /

2021 NBA Free Agency Grades: Toronto Raptors

Key Additions: Goran Dragic (trade); Precious Achiuwa (trade); Sam Dekker (1-yr minimum); Ish Wainwright (2-yr, undisclosed)

Brought Back: Gary Trent Jr. (3-yr, $54 million); Khem Birch (3-yr, $20 million)

Key Departures: Kyle Lowry (Miami); DeAndre’ Bembry (Brooklyn); Rodney Hood (Milwaukee); Aron Baynes (unrestricted)

The Toronto Raptors last season were set up for failure, living on the road for the entire season as they played their “home” games in Tampa, FL. Injury misfortune, poor shooting and all sorts of COVID restrictions led to a nightmare year that at the very least netted Toronto the fourth pick in the NBA Draft.

At somewhat of a roster crossroads, the Raptors decided to pivot towards getting younger and not pushing to win again at the tail end of Kyle Lowry’s career. They got back a solid starting point guard in Goran Dragic and a talented young big in Previous Achiuwa in exchange for facilitating a sign-and-trade with the Miami Heat for Lowry.

The Raptors made some moves on the margins, signing Sam Dekker and Ish Wainwright to see if they have enough to hang in the NBA. The more significant moves came in re-signing their own players. Khem Birch is a fine backup center but may be called on to start after receiving a 3-year deal to stay in Toronto. Gary Trent Jr. got a much larger deal, $54 million over three seasons, to likely start with Fred VanVleet in the backcourt. That’s a lot of money for Trent, who can certainly get hot but hasn’t sustained a high level of play yet in his career.

Grade: B-

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