New Garrett Temple, Dallas Mavericks Report Emerges During NBA Free Agency

· Yahoo Sports

As drama continues to ensue during NBA free agency, the Toronto Raptors are having themselves a successful offseason thus far. After drafting Allen Graves and Jaden Bradley, trading for seven-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard, and signing Kyle Anderson, general manager Bobby Webster has done an exceptional job rounding out the roster heading into next season.

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They were able to make the playoffs this season for the first time since 2022, and now Toronto has solidified itself as one of the true contenders to come out of the Eastern Conference in 2027. With still two roster spots left to fill, there are a couple of options to further improve the depth in either the point guard or center positions.

Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard | Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

However, one player still yet to be re-signed is 17-year NBA veteran Garrett Temple. The formerly undrafted guard out of LSU in 2009 has played for 12 different teams throughout his NBA tenure (missed the 2011-12 season while playing in other pro leagues), but has played in 77 total games over the last three seasons in Toronto. 

The ultimate veteran has expressed his desire to remain with the Raptors this season; however, Webster told the media that the team will need to see where they stand by the end of free agency before making a final decision. As they continue to wait, a new report has emerged regarding the 40-year-old.

According to Marc Stein with The Stein Line, new Dallas Mavericks head coach Dusty May has expressed interest in acquiring Temple. However, the former Michigan Wolverines head coach doesn’t want Temple on his roster; he wants the Raptor to join the Mavericks’ coaching staff, should he decide to end his playing career.

This idea has floated around the Raptors fanbase because of his connection to the team’s chemistry. At this point in his career, there isn’t much room for minutes in the Raptors’ rotation as they aspire to contend for the franchise’s second championship. His leadership off the court, coupled with his knowledge of the game, could prove to be valuable late in the season to a young team striving for new heights. 

There are still plenty of valuable free agents left on the market. Of course, while it’s unlikely he'll leave the United States, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, LeBron James, is still looking for a spot to end his illustrious career. Moving past that outlier, there are still quality backups like Russell Westbrook or Nick Richards that could make a real impact off the bench. Time will tell if Webster is focused on further improving the bench unit or finding pieces to boost the team’s chemistry and experience. 

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