3 biggest areas of need for the Toronto Raptors this offseason

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TORONTO, ON – APRIL 20: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the net against Chris Boucher #25 and Precious Achiuwa #5 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

2. Center

The Raptors built a tremendous defensive team this season. They were 10th in defensive rating at 109.9 and third in turnover percentage. Toronto was so effective on that end because they had so many versatile wings giving them a unique backbone that befuddled opposing offenses.

Building that team in this fashion got them to the playoffs as the fifth seed in the East, but Toronto needs to get a taller center in the offseason if they want to go further in the postseason next year. The lack of depth behind Siakam was killing them.

With big men like Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Robert Williams posing some serious problems for Toronto over the next few years, Toronto needs to make some waves in the free agent market and land one of the big names this offseason. Embiid averaged 26.2 points per game in the first round against Toronto. They need their next Marc Gasol.

The Toronto Raptors need more height.

This free agent class is not short on top talent, as names like Mo Bamba and Nic Claxton are available. A trade for Rudy Gobert is bold, but we can’t rule out Ujiri doing something like that if he thinks it will be a long-term solution.

Toronto doesn’t need to throw their odd roster approach out of the window in free agency, but they need to add someone that can defend the best names in the conference. Failing to do so could be highly problematic for their chances of contending next year.