July has officially taken off and free agent frenzy is among us. Teams are moving swiftly to secure assets that will quickly improve their organizations fortune within this ten day negotiation period. Many quality players around the league have already been relocated via trade or assumingly by verbal commitment.
With Tim Leweike and Masai Ujiri running the show, the Toronto Raptors have been quite busy this summer. As negotiations continue and players commit, the list of available targets becomes to shorten. As the big names begin to sign new deals, the rest of the pack will follow suit, where teams will being to proceed with back-up plans.
The Toronto Raptors have two major needs that have to be addressed this offseason. Toronto needs a quality power forward, as well as two backup point guards. Barring any trades, Kyle Lowry will be given the keys officially this season and Amir Johnson was a pleasant surprise as a starter, however he simply cannot be the option if this team wants to compete for anything more than a playoff appearance.
Starting with the power-forwards, Raptors Cage will look at some potential options that the Toronto Raptors could pursue this offseason to address these roster needs.
Dare to Dream
Paul Milsap
His name has come up numerous times over the course of the season as a player that would fit into the Toronto Raptors system. He’s undersized for a power forward standing only 6’7 however his game is much bigger. This blue-collar forward has been in the Utah system his entire career, and is probably out of the Raptors price range at the moment. Throw in that Al Jefferson is likely a Bobcat or a Maverick once Dwight Howard makes his decision, it’s unlikely that Milsap will be donning a Raptors jersey anytime soon.
Carl Landry
Still an available option, but most likely to sign with the Clippers. Landry was extremely efficient for the Golden State Warriors last season working the midrange and doing the dirty work. Not yet a proven option if given more responsibility, but definitely an above average role player.
Josh Smith
The idea of Josh Smith playing in Toronto is nothing more than a wet dream. So let’s be real here, Josh Smith will not outright sign with Toronto. He wants to win now and the Raptors are strapped for money. He is good friends with Rudy Gay, and a potential pitch could be made, but the only way this thing could work out is a sign and trade.
Realistic Targets
J.J Hickson
Provides a big body, with still a lot of upside. Given the right situation Hickson could fit well with the Raptors rotation. He averaged 12ppg and 10reb as an undersized centre in 80 games with the Blazers last season. He’s not in the Blazers long-term plans, and the Raptors shouldn’t jump to overpay him either.
Tyler Hansborough
Since the Indiana Pacers did not extend a qualifying offer to Psycho-T, he now becomes an unrestricted free agent. At 27 years old, and arguably one of the best college players of all-time the Raptors should definitely be giving his agent a call. Hansborough has a high basketball IQ, hustles relentlessly, is extremely gritty (or dirty) and would probably sign for the MLE after coming off his rookie scale contract. Goon status.
DeJuan Blair
Blair is extremely undersized for the power-forward position with the height of a shooting guard but the body of rhino. With a wingspan of seven feet & three inches; Blair is a glass eater. He also has great hands, so he can finish around the basket. Blair is fresh off an NBA finals appearance with San Antonio, which puts him in better mental state than a lot of other free agents available.
Mareese Speights
Long and wiry PF/C who has good foot speed, bangs in the paint for offensive boards and can hit the mid-range jumper consistently. He opted out of his player option for $4.5 million with the Cavs after averaging 10ppg and 5reb after his mid-season trade, so he’s clearly looking for a new situation.
Brandan Wright
Similar skill set to Mareese Speights being a tweener and all, but comes with more of a defensive edge. Sky high field goal percentages for his entire career and has seen shown consistent play in Dallas where his decision-making has vastly improved.
Plan C’s
Samuel Dalembert
Sammy D is still a productive post presence, an effective defender and rebounder. He’s also Canadian. However attitude issues have most likely prevented this player from ever donning a Raptors jersey. See team Canada & Leo Rautins.
Zaza Pachulia
Zaza has always been a solid contributor, this Georgian giant never plays out of his role. The 11-12’ season saw him average 7.9 rebounds. His minutes were cut last year, then he went out with a season ending Achilles injury which is sure to raise some red flags. Well…unless you’re Kobe Bryant.
Rony Turiaf
Love him or hate him, this guy has contagious energy whether he’s on the court or on the bench.
Trades
At the end of the day, the only real difference makers in that group land in the first category, and for Masai to land one of them, he will have to get very crafty. Another option is always to try and swing a trade, however this team needs to leave its current assets untouched. There are big names on the market such as LaMarcus Aldridge and Kevin Love, however in order for this team to compete they will need to keep their core and add one of these guys – something very unlikely to happen at this point. Therefore, a stop-gap option may be needed until the Raptors can get their stud power forward and that’s where plan B and C come into play.
6 thoughts on “Free Agency Options Part 1: Power Forwards”
i hope we get millsap, but realistically, i assume we can get speights.
Good article and I like the break down in Hansbrough. I think he brings that agitator attitude that Toronto has never really had since Oakley. Him and jv in the front court would drive opponents crazy, lol
They need to be careful not to make the team better for next year. Trade everyone, getting a decent young chip like Valunciunas in the process. No need to get mediocre players who will prevent them from getting Wiggins.