The Toronto Raptors don't have a successful track record of signing big-time players in free agency. The franchise has also had trouble keeping All-Stars in Canada, as Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Chris Bosh and Kawhi Leonard all left the Raptors at various points.
For this piece, we take a look at the most notable free-agent signings in Raptors franchise history.
October 5, 1995
The Raptors inked four-time All-Star and former Defensive Player of the Year Alvin Robertson to a free-agent deal. The shooting guard played just one season in Toronto and averaged 9.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 77 games.
August 5, 1999
After playing with the Milwaukee Bucks during the 1998-99 season, Dell Curry signed with the Raptors before the start of the 1999-00 campaign. The sharpshooter appeared in 194 games with Toronto and compiled averages of 6.7 points while shooting 39.0 percent from beyond the arc.
September 23, 1999
The Raptors signed 5-foot-3 Muggsy Bogues. The electric point guard put up 4.9 points and 3.7 assists in 83 games with the franchise before getting traded to the New York Knicks.
August 11, 2000
One of the best passers in NBA history, Mark Jackson signed with the Raptors and appeared in 54 games before getting shipped to the Knicks, where he began his pro career in 1987. Jackson averaged 8.5 points and 9.2 assists with Toronto.
October 21, 2002
Voshon Lenard signed with the Raptors after playing with the Denver Nuggets. He was only in Canada for one year, though. Lenard put up 14.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists during the 2002-03 season.
July 14, 2004
A legend on the And1 mixtape tour, Rafer Alston joined the Raptors for the 2004-05 campaign. He played in Toronto during the 2002-03 season as well. Alston finished his Raptors career with averages of 11.8 points and 5.6 assists over 127 games.
July 14, 2012
The Raptors signed Landry Fields as a restricted free agent. The Knicks chose not to match Toronto's offer sheet of $18 million over three years. Fields appeared in 107 games with Toronto. He averaged just 3.3 points and 2.7 boards.
July 9, 2015
DeMarre Carroll got a huge payday from the Raptors in free agency. However, the swingman only played two years in Toronto before getting traded to the Brooklyn Nets. Carroll averaged 9.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 98 games with the franchise.
July 18, 2016
Fred VanFleet went undrafted out of Wichita State. He signed a multi-year contract with the Raptors in 2016, and the rest is history. The Illinois native has established himself as one of the most underrated players in the league. VanFleet is averaging 10.3 points and 4.0 assists in 225 games with the Raptors.
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