Toronto Raptors
It is not secret that the Toronto Raptors have been exploring trade scenarios to improve their frontcourt depth, especially since they don’t really have a center! After losing Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka in free agency this past offseason, the Raptors were left with fourth year big man Chris Boucher and they signed Aron Baynes in free agency.
While Boucher has been really solid coming off-the-bench for the Raptors this year, Aron Baynes has not been productive at all for them and with them not wanting to move Pascal Siakam to the center position, they could greatly benefit from adding a guy like Marvin Bagley III, who can play the power-forward or center position.
While they did not have any players named to the All-Star game this year and while they started off the season very slow, the Raptors have worked their way back into the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference and should once again be considered championship contenders. While they are currently two games below .500 for the season, this team’s core is still intact and as long as they can remain healthy, they can matchup with virtually any team in the league.
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The only thing that is missing for this team is consistent play from their frontcourt, which is where Marvin Bagley III can come in handy. Not only is he another double-digit scorer they can add to their rotation, but the Raptors rank last in the league in rebounding this year. With Bagley averaging upwards of 7.6 rebounds per game this year, he could not only help them defensively, but aid them in second-chance points as well, as he is averaging 2.4 offensive rebounds per game.
If this team had either Gasol or Ibaka back, there is no reason why they would not be a Top-5 team in the Eastern Conference, which is why they are one piece away from potentially being that dominant team they have been the last few seasons. Marvin Bagley III could be that “piece” and “spark” for the Raptors in their championship puzzle.
