The Toronto Raptors acknowledged that their decision to sign center Alex Len in order to replace the departed Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol was a titanic flip, as they already parted ways with the Ukrainian big after a handful of games. With Len not on the team anymore, it gives Raptors president Masai Ujiri some flexibility to improve the roster.
In need of a big man that can provide defense off of the bench and enough offensive skill to take some of the pressure off of Pascal Siakam, Ujiri for these three bigs to improve the depth of this Toronto team.
3 players that could replace Alex Len for the Toronto Raptors: PF John Henson
Henson was once a young talent with potential. Now, he is currently a free agent in what supposed to be his ninth season in the NBA. A former lottery pick out of North Carolina, Henson’s inability to evolve his offensive game and develop a jump shot
Henson, so far in his career, has averaged 7.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game with the Bucks, Cavaliers, and Pistons. Henson has rarely used the three-pointer as a weapon, as he is averaging less than one attempt per game in his career. However, Henson’s long arms will help him on the defensive end, and Nurse could be the ideal coach to help him develop an offensive game.
If he can improve his three-point shot, he’ll be back in the NBA in no time and should have a stable career in the league. However, the Raptors do not need him to shoot threes. They need his defense, specifically his rim-protecting ability and skill at block shots. Adding Henson gives the dominant Chris Boucher some reprieve on defense and lets him do his thing on offense without having the responsibility to guard the center. Plus, with Aron Baynes struggling, Henson has a chance to play meaningful minutes for the Raptors, as Nurse has a fondness for players like Henson that can stuff opposing slashers in the paint.
3 players that could replace Alex Len for the Toronto Raptors: C Dewayne Dedmon
What could made Dedmon so attractive to the Raptors is how similar his playstyle is to that of Ibaka. He has the tools that physical tools that Ibaka has, but he can also block a shot when called upon or step out and hit a clutch three. Dedmon might not be an amazing shooter, but 33 percent certainly stands out for a seven-foot big man.
He shot the three well during the 2018-19 season when he shot 38 percent with the Atlanta Hawks. After a brief trip to Sacramento ruined his value, Dedmon remains on the free-agent market. While any number of contending teams, including division rivals like Brooklyn and Philadelphia, could be interested in him, Toronto makes a ton of sense, as Dedmon can play right away while offering more than Baynes or Len on offense.
Dedmon will not be the defensive anchor that Ibaka was, but he can help replace some of the offense Ibaka has while holding his own on the defensive end of the court. At this point in the season, it is very rare for a player like Dedmon, who has the experience, solid three-point shot, and physical build needed to bang down low for a Raptors team in frankly dire need of a player like him.
3 players that could replace Alex Len for the Toronto Raptors: PF Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
Hollis-Jefferson’s fit with the Raptors should be solid because he played with the team last season giving him familiarity with the offense. During the 2019-20 season, Hollis-Jefferson averaged 7.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. His offense was decent at best, which has always been the knock on him, but his defense was stellar. On Dec. 1, 2019, during a home game against the Utah Jazz, Hollis-Jefferson showed how dominant he can be when dominated Bojan Bogdanovic on defense and started to gain confidence on offense.
Hollis-Jefferson is a power forward, but he can also play the center position when needed. Toronto fans saw him play at the five spot whenever the Raptors did not have Serge Ibaka or Marc Gasol on the court due to injuries, and his unique style of play helped the team get through some tough stretches.
He is very capable of guarding big men who play either the power forward or center positions. He played well against Blake Griffin early in the season, handled physical players like DeAndre Ayton and Enes Kante, blocked a shot from Myles Turner, and even forced Giannis Antetokounmpo to turn over the ball. When he’s locked in, he’s a truly exceptional defensive player down low.
Boucher is playing really well as of late, but the one thing he is having trouble with is guarding the center position due to his skinny frame. Hollis-Jefferson is shorter than Boucher, but his size and hustle allow him to guard bigs. As good as Yuta Watanabe might be right now, he’s nowhere near Hollis-Jefferson as a defender. In theory, Baynes should be better than the other three players in every way, but he is struggling right now on the court.
Right now, would be a great time to bring back Hollis-Jefferson to the Raptors and to sign him to a one-year minimum contract. It will not take that long to convince him to come back if Toronto shows that they can offer him a chance to compete for a title.
Raptors: 3 veteran free agents who could help Toronto right now
If Ujiri wants to look to the free-agent market to add depth in order to give the Raptors some life on offense, these three vets look like perfect fits.