Toronto Raptors: 3 changes the Raptors need to make 2021

2. The Toronto Raptors need to add frontcourt players

Toronto’s management spent the off-season focusing on adding wing and guard players to the roster. The 2020 draft saw the team acquire Malachi Flynn and Jalen Harris, a point guard, and shooting guard. In the off-season, DeAndre Bembry, Yuta Watanabe, both small forwards and centers Alex Len and Aron Baynes were new recruits via free-agency

However, coming off a season in 2020 in which Serge Ibaka was their only productive center, the team chose to get smaller at the position and less productive with Baynes and Len. Regardless of the focus of the team’s offensive style and desire for quick, versatile defenders, rebounding, size, interior scoring, and lane intimidation are imperative to a successful basketball team.

Toronto is actually 6th in blocked shots thanks primarily to Chris Boucher, but at 6-9 and 215 pounds, he can only be effective in certain situations coming off-of the bench. Boucher has 75 blocked shots, averaging 1.9 per game.

It’s nearly five times Baynes’ average of .4 per game, and Baynes was signed to replace Ibaka, who was exponentially more athletic. It’s not always about recording the blocked shot as it is about the opponents fearing it.

Aron Baynes is not helping the Toronto Raptors

The Raptors are also well behind last year’s rebounding production, and there were issues with it then. On a team that prides itself on defensive play, desires to stop their opponents’ transition offense by getting back on defense, and relying on an aggressive help and recover defensive scheme, defensive rebounding has to be the ultimate goal/prize.

The Raptors give up 9.9 offensive rebounds per game, which could represent anywhere between 20-30 points on second-chance scoring against them. It has to be demoralizing when you work hard to force a bad shot and then have to repeat the cycle immediately. There are options that could be traded for or signed at the veteran minimum to help with this part of their game.

It is why the recent news that Canadian forward and rebounding specialist Tristan Thompson may be a possible acquisition at the trade deadline would be welcome. Even if it means dealing with divisional and conference rival the Boston Celtics, it is a worthwhile pursuit.

Ultimately the lack of depth at the 5-spot is an organizational flaw. The Raptors 905 traded away the Raptors’ 2019 second-round pick Dewan Hernandez, and he has been mired in the G League for his whole career.

But with neither player an established pro player and Baynes likely to have the Raptors waive the second-year team option on his deal at season’s end, if he isn’t traded by next week, the Raptors need to address their insufficient frontcourt depth either at the trade deadline or in the off-season through the draft, free-agency or pursuit of an off-season trade.