Toronto Raptors should look into trading for Canadian Brandon Clarke

The Toronto Raptors found it very prudent to lean on a Canadian backcourt during the latter half of the 2020-21 season, as the standout play of Chris Boucher and the surprising production Khem Birch tallied when he came to Toronto gave this squad a boost. Might they add yet another compatriot to the fold in Memphis Grizzlies stud Brandon Clarke?

Born in Vancouver, Clarke became a star at Gonzaga to the point where Memphis used a first-round pick on him in the 2019 NBA Draft. After a fantastic debut that saw him named to the All-Rookie team, Clarke and Jaren Jackson Jr. figured to be Memphis’ preferred loadout now that Ja Morant has been established as their franchise cornerstone.

However, with former Raptor Jonas Valanciunas putting together his finest statistical season, Clarke was relegated to reserve duty, even letting other young Grizzlies bigs overtake him in the rotation.

The Raptors needed to get younger, add some size, and fix the rebounding before the Pascal Siakam surgery, but the fact they will be without Siakam for a long chunk of time could prompt a need to get more aggressive to replace him. If Clarke is on his way out, Toronto could bring him back up north.

Would Brandon Clarke be a fit with the Toronto Raptors?

Valanciunas has established himself as the starting center, and Jackson is the power forward when healthy. That’s fine. However, Clarke, who averaged 10.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game last year, played just nine minutes in the playoffs, as Xavier Tillman was inserted into the rotation over him.

Clarke attempts just over one three-pointer per game, and Cleaning the Glass (subscription required) proves that Clarke went to a net negative when he was on the floor. Why would Toronto give up either draft capital or some young players to acquire him? Because of what a natural fit he would be in this offense.

Clarke, even when his minutes have been limited, has proven to be a plus rebounder and finisher. In addition, his incredible blocks per game numbers at Gonzaga suggest that with the right coaching, he could rediscover himself.

Clarke could go from the fourth option inside with Memphis to a starter at power forward while Siakam is out. When Siakam returns, imagine the combination of Clarke as a small-ball 5 and Boucher off of the bench.

With Siakam hurt, Birch an impending free agent, and Freddie Gillespie a while away from becoming a high-level starter, Clarke would pay immediate dividends as a scorer and rebounder, which is really all that the Raptors need him to be in the short-term. If they can get him back on track, they will have pilfered their second quality big man from Memphis.