The Toronto Raptors are currently locked in one of the most intriguing offseasons in the NBA. With a blockbuster trade for franchise icon Kawhi Leonard hanging in the balance and awaiting the final verdict of a league investigation, the front office is being forced to plan for every possible outcome.
As things stand, the Raptors currently hold one final open roster spot and are sitting comfortably just under the first apron with $2.4 million to spare. While landing Leonard remains the dream scenario that has the fanbase buzzing, the reality is that the deal might not cross the finish line. If Kawhi stays put elsewhere, Toronto will head into the upcoming season with Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and newly acquired veteran Kyle Anderson anchoring the core.
However, leaving a roster spot vacant isn’t part of the plan. If the Leonard reunion falls through, the front office could look inward, turning to familiar faces who already know what it means to wear the Raptors uniform. Here are three former Toronto players who could realistically make a sensational ” homecoming” to fill out the roster.
1. Ochai Agbaji
A familiar face for anyone tracking the Raptors calendar year, Ochai Agbaji is suddenly floating as a massive bargain option on the open market.
Agbaji was previously shipped out of Toronto to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for a distant 2032 second-round pick. However, the plot thickened when the Nets opted against making a qualifying offer, converting Agbaji from a restricted free agent into an unrestricted one.
This presents Toronto with a golden opportunity. Agbaji started 13 games for the Raptors last season, proving he can handle rotational minutes and defensive assignments. Bringing him back on a low-cost veteran minimum contract would provide instant wing depth, defensive grit, and a player who requires zero adaptation time to the coaching staff’s schemes.
2. Chris Boucher
Could a reunion with a 2019 NBA Champion be on the cards?
Chris Boucher spent almost his entire storied NBA career in a Raptors jersey, becoming a fan favorite for his high-energy play, shot-blocking, and emotional spark off the bench. After signing with the Boston Celtics prior to the 2025–26 season, Boucher was subsequently traded to the Utah Jazz, where he was ultimately waived.
As it stands, Boucher remains an unattached free agent. Bringing him back to Toronto would not only add a beloved veteran presence back into the locker room, but it would give the front office a versatile, long-limbed forward who knows the culture inside and out. For a young, hungry Raptors squad, having a proven champion who can stretch the floor and protect the rim for pennies on the dollar is an absolute no-brainer.
3. Kelly Olynyk
The frontcourt equation in Toronto shifted significantly this summer when Sandro Mamukelashvili packed his bags to join the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency. While the Raptors have brought in Kyle Anderson and rookie Allen Graves to shore up the rotation, neither profile truly replaces the unique skillset that Mamukelashvili provided off the bench.
Enter Kelly Olynyk.
Olynyk’s previous stint in Toronto was brief—spanning just 52 games across two seasons—but his impact was undeniable. As a big man who can grab tough rebounds, facilitate from the high post, and stretch the floor with reliable three-point shooting, Olynyk is a stylistic fit for modern NBA offenses. Furthermore, he comes with invaluable pedigree, having just been part of a San Antonio Spurs squad that battled all the way to the NBA Finals. That kind of high-level playoff experience is priceless for a developing roster.
The Road Ahead for Toronto
Whether the Kawhi Leonard trade miraculously clears league hurdles or quietly collapses, the Raptors are in a remarkably healthy position. Coming off a surprisingly dominant season that turned skeptics into believers, the front office has built a competitive foundation.
If the dream reunion doesn’t happen, the Raptors don’t need to panic. Turning to trusted veterans like Ochai Agbaji, Chris Boucher, or Kelly Olynyk would immediately wrap up a stellar offseason and give Toronto the final piece of the puzzle they need to make another deep run in the East.
