Toronto Raptors: Five potential targets with the Taxpayer MLE

Taj Gibson

First up on the list, we have former Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves power forward, Taj Gibson.

Coming off a season where he appeared in 70 games, starting 57 of them, Gibson averaged 10.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game with an effective field-goal percentage of 57 percent.

A burly power forward, Gibson’s game hasn’t really translated to the style of a modern stretch-four. He doesn’t shot many threes — he only took 33 triples last season, making 11 of them — but he remains a strong inside presence and can finish around the rim.

The Toronto Raptors shouldn’t be picking up Gibson for his scoring, though. He could provide something the Raptors definitely need: back-up rebounding.

Gibson remains one of the best rebound-first forwards in the league, and this past season with the Minnesota Timberwolves he posted his highest total rebounding-percentage since his 2011-12 season with the Chicago Bulls at 14.5-percent.

Outside of Serge Ibaka, the Raptors bench lacks a certain presence on the boards. Ibaka averaged 8.1 rebounds per game this season, and 7.9 rebounds per game when he transitioned to a role on the bench once the Raptors acquired Marc Gasol at the trade deadline.

The playoffs told a similar tale, as the Raptors bench averaged only 11.2 rebounds per game, albeit in limited minutes as Nick Nurse cut the rotation down to eight men, and sometimes as little as seven.

Gibson signed a two-year $28,000,000 contract with the Timberwolves in 2017, and it’s realistic to say he won’t command that sort of salary again. Especially as a 34-year old free agent.

Still, his veteran leadership, defensive intensity, and aggressive rebounding could make him a sought after commodity this off-season. In the latter years of his career, he might decide that he wants to be with a contender and challenge for a ring in a reserve role.

The Toronto Raptors could provide Gibson with what he’s looking for if that’s the case.