The Toronto Raptors are not in need of a major splash this offseason and instead should continue building around their young core of Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett.
The Raptors finished with a 25-57 record last season but do not hold their own first-round pick due to a trade with the San Antonio Spurs in 2023, but they do have the No. 19 pick via the Indiana Pacers.
Strength in the frontcourt is without a doubt their biggest need, as Jakob Poeltl and Kelly Olynyk highlight the bunch. Finding a big man on the same timeline as Barnes, Barrett and Co. is important.
Let’s take a look at three of the best potential acquisitions for the Raptors this offseason.
Nic Claxton
While the Brooklyn Nets would likely love to re-sign Claxton in free agency, it seems more plausible for him to join a roster filled with young talent. At 25 years old, he matches up well with the timelines of Barnes (22), Barrett (23), and restricted free agent Immanuel Quickley (24). The Raptors ranked 25th defensively last season (allowing 115.8 points per 100 possessions), and Claxton’s presence in the paint could help significantly.
He is an intriguing option to fill Toronto’s cap space after averaging 11.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks on 62.9% shooting in 71 appearances last season. Guard Bruce Brown has a $23 million team option this summer, which the Raptors may exercise to use him in a trade.
Wendell Carter Jr.
The Orlando Magic’s season didn’t end as hoped, but their future is bright, largely due to the progression of forwards Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Wendell Carter Jr. had a bit of a down year, averaging 11 points and 6.9 rebounds on 52.5% shooting from the field and 37.4% from 3-point range. The Magic played well at times with Carter sidelined and he struggled in the NBA playoffs against Evan Mobley and the Cleveland Cavaliers, so it’s possible the front office is viewing Carter as expendable.
With the Magic trying to put win-now pieces around Banchero and Wagner, perhaps a package of Poeltl and draft capital could work for both sides.
Kyle Filipowski
The trend of adding a big man continues, this time in the upcoming NBA Draft. In his sophomore season with the Duke Blue Devils, Kyle Filipowski averaged 16.4 points and 8.3 rebounds on 50.5% shooting, slight increases from his first year. His 7-foot, 248-pound frame poses an inside threat that the Raptors were desperately lacking on offense last season. His defense is a concern against bigger opponents, which was shown against NC State’s DJ Burns Jr. in the Elite Eight.
Toronto owns the No. 19 pick in the draft via the Indiana Pacers, which aligns with Filipowski’s projections.
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