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

 Options for the Toronto Raptors that are Long shots

These two players would be first-choice options if it weren’t for their unique situations. One player had a major surgery that could affect his game, and the other is a restricted free agent who could be very expensive.

Serge Ibaka

When Ibaka left in the offseason, the Raptors’ defense left with him. We just didn’t know that at the time. Everyone knew that Aron Baynes wouldn’t be Ibaka 2.0. They just thought that Baynes would be a solid addition to the roster who could fill in Ibaka’s shoes. Clearly, he failed.

Not re-signing Ibaka was a bad decision from Masai Ujiri. He could write that wrong by re-signing Ibaka this summer. However, Ibaka has a player option with the Clippers. Ibaka could stay with the Clippers and keep his $9 million deal. He could also opt-out, which still has a non-zero chance of happening.

Getting Ibaka back to Toronto would be a great move if it were not for his back injury which required surgery. Because of that, and the fact his season averages are down this year than last year, Ibaka might not be the same player that he once was.

It might not be a wise decision to sign him if he is the starting center. But as a backup, that’s not a bad pickup.

Jarrett Allen

Jarrett Allen is the best center in free agency. He does everything that a center does especially a center that the Raptors need.

The only concern I have with Allen is his contract. He will be a restricted free agent. Any team can sign him to an offer sheet. If they match it, Allen is staying in Cleveland.

Allen could re-sign with Cleveland with a $100 million-plus contract. It’s going to take more than that for the Raptors to sign him. But is that worth it?

They should try to sign him, but not for $100 million. That’s a lot of money to get someone like Allen. They still need to sign more players, and they’re going to be unable to do that with Allen’s deal taking up so much room.

It might be too much of a risk to sign him despite Allen his age and talent. However, if they can pay him four years and around $80 million, go get Allen.