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Toronto Raptors free agency: 6 best free agents to target at center

By Pirasanth Gunasekaram

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 29: Richaun Holmes #22 of the Sacramento Kings scores against the San Antonio Spurs in the second half at AT&T Center on March 29, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. Sacramento Kings defeated the San Antonio Spurs 132-115. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 29: Richaun Holmes #22 of the Sacramento Kings scores against the San Antonio Spurs in the second half at AT&T Center on March 29, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. Sacramento Kings defeated the San Antonio Spurs 132-115. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OREGON – MAY 09: Damian Lillard #0 speaks with Zach Collins #33 of the Portland Trail Blazers Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON – MAY 09: Damian Lillard #0 speaks with Zach Collins #33 of the Portland Trail Blazers Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

The Toronto Raptors’ second choices

These are the choices they should acquire if the Toronto Raptors could not get Holmes or Noel.  If one of these players does sign with the Raptors, they should come off the bench instead of starting, as they are not starting-caliber bigs. Either of these guys could be a backup center to Khem Birch if he re-signs with Toronto.

Zach Collins

When he first entered the league out of Gonzaga, Collins had potential. Despite suffering a stress fracture in his ankle that made him miss the entire 2020-21 season, Collins should be a target for a lot of teams willing to gamble on his potential after failing to hit his stride in Portland

He is a restricted free agent this summer. He can only sign an offer sheet with another team. But the Blazers can match it. The Blazers may not want him back because of his injury history.

Still, Collins is only 23 years old. There is still a lot of upside with him, especially as a scorer and rebounder. Toronto should absolutely get him to see what his potential is and if the Raptors can pull it out of him. They had some success with DeAndre’ Bembry, so why not try again,

Dewayne Dedmon

Another guy that can help the Raptors is Dedmon, who was one of the more underrated mid-season acquisitions when he joined Miami. He can help the team on the defensive end by adding some muscle inside and a feathery scoring touch.

Ibaka, when he was with the Raptors, was the defensive anchor of the team. Dedmon is not going to be the anchor that Ibaka was, if he can help on the defensive end, that will help the Raptors a lot. Having made 70% of his shots last year, Dedmon can show he is one of the more underrated offensive centers in the league.