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Buyout players who could help Raptors?

By Brian Boake

Nov 28, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Cory Joseph (6) drives to the basket as Washington Wizards forward Kris Humphries (43) defends during the first quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Cory Joseph (6) drives to the basket as Washington Wizards forward Kris Humphries (43) defends during the first quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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An unprecedented number of marginal players are being dropped by their teams. Could one of them plug the gaping hole the Raptors have at power forward?

This NBA season has already seen some interesting developments in roster management, including a flood of players being bought out of their contracts. There’s urgency for teams and players if this is the route chosen, as playoff rosters must be finalized by March 1. If the Toronto Raptors want to beef up cheaply, they have about 30 hours to do so.

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Some of those kicked to the curb have been signed already. J.J. Hickson, whom I had considered as a trade candidate, is now a Washington Wizard. Andre Miller, an elderly but still effective point guard, was dumped by Minnesota, then signed by San Antonio – talk about a reversal of fortune!

There are a few players, like former Brooklyn Net Andrea Bargnani, who have about as much chance of being invited to join the Raptors as I have of being selected for an Best Actor Oscar tonight. Il Mago (“The

Disappointment

Magician”) hasn’t found a new home yet. The most sought-after waived player was Joe Johnson, who’s now a member of the Miami Heat. There were rumblings of interest from Raptors GM Masai Ujiri, but nothing transpired.

Jan 6, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Andrea Bargnani (9) shoots against the Toronto Raptors during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. The Raptors defeated the Nets 91-74. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Andrea Bargnani (9) shoots against the Toronto Raptors during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. The Raptors defeated the Nets 91-74. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Several power forwards haven’t found new homes, and Masai should consider making one of them an offer. While the departure of Kris Humphries from the Phoenix Suns isn’t official yet, it may be done by the time you read this. He was a Raptor briefly during Bryan Colangelo’s time, and retains some ability to impact a game on the boards. The Hump isn’t the worst shooter in the league either, even from beyond the arc. Jason Thompson was punted by the Golden State Warriors in favour of Anderson Varejao, who had been cut adrift from Cleveland. I haven’t read of Thompson being picked up by anyone else. Unless our front line suffers several injuries tonight in Detroit, I wouldn’t bother with Jason, whose best days are behind him. Likewise DeJuan Blair; the Raptors have a younger version of him in Anthony Bennett.

The trade deadline came and went with no action by Masai, and he may have little or no interest in the spate of waived players also. However, I hope he’ll at least give some consideration to Humphries. He’s a low-maintenance veteran whom I’d place ahead of Luis Scola on the depth chart today.

What do you think, Rapture Nation? Assuming he’s let go, would you like to see Kris Humphries in Toronto once again…or someone else I didn’t mention? Please drop a Comment.

Brian Boake is Senior Editor for Raptors Rapture. “Like” Raptors Rapture on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @RaptorsRapture for all the latest news and updates about the best damn NBA team from Canada.

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