4. Signed Branden Carlson
Signed undrafted free agent center Branden Carlson to a two-way contract
Last season, when Jakob Poeltl missed the final weeks of the season with a hand injury, the Toronto Raptors absolutely fell apart. Kelly Olynyk can only survive at center in spot minutes, and the Raptors did not have a viable backup center to step up, especially not with Jontay Porter being banned from the league. At one point the Raptors signed a center and started him the same night.
That made backup center a clear priority heading into the offseason, and the Raptors promptly used next to zero resources on the position. They passed on centers to draft Ja'Kobe Walter and Jonathan Mogbo, then used the 57th pick on an extremely raw center prospect in Ulrich Chomche who won't be ready to contribute this season. They didn't bring in a big man via trade or with a significant free agent signing.
Finally, the team added another big in undrafted free agent Branden Carlson out of Utah. The seven-footer started for Toronto in Las Vegas Summer League and immediately showed why he might be in line for rotation minutes as soon as this season.
Carlson, the all-time blocks leader at Utah, is a monster in the paint, swatting shots and deterring drives to the rim. When allowed to play a drop coverage he essentially sealed off the paint, and in the Raptors' first two games in Vegas Summer League keyed a defensive clinic by Toronto. What makes Carlson special is that he is also comfortable shooting from outside, and that 3-and-D combination from the center position is exactly what the doctor ordered.
The Raptors cannot expect too much from an undrafted free agent rookie, and Carlson struggled defensively out in space; he's not a ready-made starter waiting to be deployed. He does look like a keeper, though, and given the Raptors' need at the position was an excellent signing on a two-way contract for this season.
Grade: B