Offseason chatter is picking up steam. Despite the Raptors finding themselves thrust in Kawhi Leonard reunion talks and even linked to Jaylen Brown, the obvious need for an upgrade at center remains a key concern regardless of those outcomes.
I just wrote about a potential solution to that problem and the impending Sandro Mamukelashvili free agency situation alike in Moritz Wagner. But let's rewind a bit to one of the early Raptors big man targets to help find a breath of new life at the center spot in Jock Landale.
Landale is coming off of his best NBA season to date. He began the year as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies for 45 games, where he put up a strong 11.3 points, including an impressive 38.0 percent from three, as well as 6.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists. After being dealt to the Atlanta Hawks in a sleeper trade deadline pickup, he would finish that 23-game stint averaging 9.1 points, including an increasingly steady 39.1 percent from deep, to go with 4.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists.
His dynamic ability as a floor spacing and bruising big was bound to attract a ton of interest across the wide scope of NBA free agency. Atlanta would surely be the first to try and welcome a years-long extension, seeing as their center spot is already a bit weak as is, and Landale is one of the most underrated backups in the league.
Strong market for Jock Landale should only complicate the Raptors' path to sign him
However, the latest from NBA insider Michael Scotto in his offseason intel piece for HoopsHype indicates the competitive race to attract Landale in free agency (link here): "Landale, 30, is expected to have a strong market, including interest from the Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Cleveland Cavaliers, league sources told HoopsHype. Expect the Australian center to command offers north of the bi-annual exception in free agency."
Despite Toronto's troublesome financial situation, that reported price tag of "north of the bi-annual exception in free agency" shouldn't exactly be a tight financial hurdle for them.
The Raptors could work with that and things can go on to clear up too if they don't bring back Sandro Mamukelashvili with their non-taxpayer mid-level exception. Instead, it's that list of potential suitors who could come out to spoil perhaps the Raptors' best shot at a hidden center gem in free agency.
Those other hopeful playoff squads like the 76ers, Cavs, and especially the Lakers, stand out as top threats aside from his current Hawks team. Meanwhile, a team with offseason financial ability like the Chicago Bulls can try to outbid everybody else, effectively ending the race among contenders trying to shoot their shot at the Australian center.
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