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Toronto Raptors: Predicting the 2018 buyout market

By Mike Bossetti

PHILADELPHIA, PA - May 5: Ersan Ilyasova #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball against the Boston Celtics during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semi Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - May 5: Ersan Ilyasova #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball against the Boston Celtics during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semi Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON- OCTOBER 19 – Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) is fouled by Chicago Bulls center Robin Lopez (42) as the Toronto Raptors open their season against the Chicago Bulls at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. October 19, 2017. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON- OCTOBER 19 – Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) is fouled by Chicago Bulls center Robin Lopez (42) as the Toronto Raptors open their season against the Chicago Bulls at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. October 19, 2017. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

Robin Lopez:

Perhaps the biggest factor working against Robin Lopez becoming a potential buyout candidate: The bulls are trying to be good. Perhaps the biggest factor working towards Robin Lopez becoming a potential buyout candidate: They aren’t likely to succeed.

Despite their best efforts, odds are against the Bulls competing for the playoffs this season. Last season the team won just 27 games and this upcoming season they project to be a defensive disaster. Except for Robin Lopez.

A 10-year veteran, Lopez knows his role at this point in his career. He is here to play defense, rebound at a high-level, and do all the dirty work on offense.

Perhaps not quite as talented as Kanter or Vucevic, Lopez would be a perfect fit on both sides of the ball for the Toronto Raptors.

Lopez does all the little things to free other, more talented offensive players. He is a spectacular screener and knows how to navigate the short roll surprisingly well. Last season he averaged just under two assists per game.

On the other end, he is surprisingly mobile for a player of his size (compared to say JV), and while he doesn’t block many shots anymore, he is still a solid deterrent around the rim.

Robin Lopez biggest skill, however, is his rebounding. Throughout his career Lopez has been a spectacular offensive rebounder, averaging 2.5 per game.

Defensively, he has only averaged three rebounds a game. But those stats do not tell the entire story. A closer examination shows that Lopez is on the court, his teams rebound very well defensively, and thanks to his ability boxing out, Lopez is a positive on the defensive glass.