Toronto Raptors: 3 free agents who could help the frontcourt

Now that the Toronto Raptors can finally close the book on what was a lost 2021 season, it’s time for the team to set its sights on ways to improve. Raptors free agency promises to be a doozy of an experience for Masai Ujiri.

There was certainly a sense of disappointment surrounding the Raptors on Monday evening. When the Indiana Pacers were victorious over Cleveland, it meant Toronto would not be competing in the NBA playoffs for the first time in eight years.

That disappointment was also met with relief, however, as the team can now tie a bow on what quickly became the most bizarre and possibly the most difficult season in the franchise’s 26-year history.

The reasons for the team’s struggles have been lamented on all year, and we all know what they are. Playing in Tampa, the pre-season frontcourt exodus, injuries, and COVID-19 depleting the roster, just to name a few.  All that is in the past though, and now it’s time to focus on how to make sure a season like this doesn’t happen two years in a row.

Thanks to a smart financial move; swapping Norman Powell for the cheaper (and restricted) Gary Trent Jr, the Raptors will have options when it comes to free agency to help improve their team. Having said that though, fans shouldn’t get too excited about the potential of any big stars coming north of the border next year.

Potential big-name Toronto Raptors free agency targets.

• Chris Paul                PHX (player option)
• Kawhi Leonard       LAC  (player option)
• DeMar DeRozan    SAS
• Mike Conley.           UTA
• Victor Oladipo        MIA

Despite the lack of a “wow-factor” in the top-end this year’s free agent crop given how unlikely it is Leonard and Paul opt out, there are some lesser name players who could make a serious impact improving the Raptors roster, specifically to shore up the teams’ biggest need: the center position.

If Khem Birch is not brought back, or if the Raptors aren’t satisfied with their depth at that position, they could add one of these three bigs.

One of these three big men could become a Toronto Raptor.

1. Kelly Olynyk, Houston Rockets

If you haven’t paid any attention to Olynyk this year, maybe it’s time to start. The British Columbia native has quietly had his best campaign as a pro, specifically since joining the Rockets via a midseason trade in the same deal that sent Victor Oladipo to South Beach.

Since landing in a larger role in Houston, Olynyk is putting up almost 19 points and 9 boards a game while shooting 38% from three in 24 games. Olynyk isn’t a great athlete, but he’s a smart defender who can guard bigger centers as well as some forwards.

Kelly Olynyk could be what the Raptors need.

He can stretch the floor as a small-ball five, and his rebounding prowess would certainly be a big help to a Raptors team that ranked 28th in the league in that department. While not an amazing offensive player, due in part to his athleticism, he can make shots when called upon, as his time in Houston is proving.

Not to mention, he’s a Canadian from Kamloops, and the fans would love that nice tie-in. Bringing back Birch and rolling with 75% Canadian frontcourt rotation that also included Chris Boucher might not be as outlandish as it sounds, and it could help them eventually transition into some wins.

2. Richaun Holmes, Sacramento Kings.

Like Olynyk, Richaun Holmes is a player that will without a doubt make himself some money thanks to a strong campaign this season. Holmes has become a really nice starting center in this league for a Sacramento team that has lacked frontcourt depth, and he would be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Raptors.

He isn’t much of a 3-point threat, but Holmes is solid in the pick-and-roll game and would be a nice compliment to Fred VanVleet on offense.  His rim protection and shot-blocking ability would give Toronto an inside presence to replace what Serge Ibaka previously provided.

The Kings would hate to see Richaun Holmes go to the Toronto Raptors.

Holmes would be a bit of a question mark for Toronto, as his stats with the 76ers and Suns pale in comparison. Are his stats a product of him improving as a player? Might they be the byproduct of Holmes benefitting from minutes and touches on another bad Kings team?

Perhaps the most intriguing thing about Holmes is the fact that he’s only 27 years old, and has never played in a winning environment, save for one of his three seasons in Philadelphia. Bringing him into a franchise with a strong culture and a good coach like Toronto could do wonders for his further development as a player.

3. Daniel Theis, Chicago Bulls

Theis would be more of a secondary option if Holmes and Olynyk were unavailable, but while to the casual fan he may seem underwhelming, Daniel Theis is a better role player than you might think.

Since the trade to Chicago, he’s thrived playing in big lineups alongside Nicola Vucevic. In 20 games he’s averaging 10 points and six boards per game while shooting 50% from the field. He is a bit of a tweeter in terms of position, but his effort level is always there on the defensive end, which enables him to play tremendous interior defense.

The Toronto Raptors could use Daniel Theis.

Theis needs to work on improving his offensive game, as his proficiency in that regard right now is limited to just some jump hooks and finishing off dunks. If there is any coach that can extract that out of him, however, it a guy in Nick Nurse that has had a ton of success getting immobile bigs to shoot.

Theis wouldn’t solve the Toronto Raptors problem at centre, but he’s could be a nice option to bring off the bench en ensure Chris Boucher could play his more natural position as a forward, and wouldn’t have to play so many of the backup center minutes.