Former Raptors fan favorite could make a return after Jakob Poeltl injury

The Toronto Raptors are currently swimming upstream, as the loss of Jakob Poeltl due to an ankle injury has left a team that was already lacking frontcourt depth without their one stabilizing force. The injury coming in the middle of a tough road trip makes things even more difficult.

Two-way signee Jontay Porter has played well, but he's the only player with outstanding size on the roster. With Toronto having one open roster spot after the Precious Achiuwa inclusion in the OG Anunoby deal, a former believed Raptor from the past decade might be on his way back to Toronto.

Bismack Biyombo only played in Toronto for one season, but fans liked his effort and rebounding so much that his name is still being discussed fondly. When his NBA career appeared to be on the ropes, the Memphis Grizzlies threw him a lifeline that lasted all of 30 games.

While Biyombo started 27 games following the Steven Adams injury, Memphis still waived the veteran rebounder. With Poeltl hurt, Christian Koloko's status completely unknown, and Porter not on an NBA contract, Toronto could burn their lone free roster spot on bringing Biyombo back to Toronto.

The Toronto Raptors could sign free agenct center Bismack Biyombo.

The former No. 7 overall pick averaged 5.5 points and a sparkling 8.0 rebounds per game for the 2015-16 Raptors that made the Eastern Conference Finals. Biyombo played in all 82 regular season games and started 22, constantly piling up the rebounds for Dwane Casey's rough and tumble squad.

Biyombo didn't look too out of place in Memphis. In 30 games, 27 of which he started, Biyombo averaged 5.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game while making 56% of his shots. With Poeltl's ankle injury timeline very unstable, Toronto could use another low-post ace that helps replicate the Austrian's rebounding and defense.

While a name like JaMychal Green could be a better offensive option, and Nerlens Noel might be a better defensive player who can protect the rim, the fact that Anthony Davis and Ivica Zubac were able to own the paint with the degree of effort they put on display in Toronto's back-to-back in Los Angeles made Biyombo's rebounding even more essential.

Biyombo will have a very clear and defined role with the Raptors, which is all they need until Poeltl comes back. Unless Porter plays like he did against the Los Angeles Clippers every single night, Toronto could stand to get some extra veteran size in the paint.