Just two years removed from winning their first NBA championship in franchise history, the Toronto Raptors are looking to get back into the playoff mix next season. After dedicating all of this past season to rebuilding and developing new talent, the Raptors have put together a nice core that features Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Chris Boucher, Gary Trent Jr., Rodney Hood, and Malachi Flynn.
Even with this strong rotation in place, the Raptors are still a few key players away from getting back to the postseason. This offseason they definitely will have their fair share of free agents to pick from, especially considering all the big-name players that are looking to explore the free-agent market and potentially find a new destination for next season. With all this said, let's take a look at the three players the Raptors need to risk it all for in 2021 free agency.
Andre Drummond
Coming off a year where he averaged a double-double and shot nearly 50 percent from the field, Andre Drummond is exactly the kind of low-post presence the Raptors could use. With his ability to dominate on the glass and finish strong at the rim, Drummond would shore up the frontline of this young Raptors team and provide them with an upgrade over Aron Baynes.
The addition of Drummond would also give the Raptors plenty of size and length and provide them with a formidable frontcourt that currently features Siakam and Boucher. The signing of Drummond would give the Raptors a center with great size and spacing that could bring them back to the playoffs next season.
DeMarcus Cousins
After playing on a deep Los Angeles Clippers team that made its first appearance in the Western Conference Finals this season, DeMarcus Cousins is set to be a free agent once again this summer. Having provided some productive minutes for the Clippers during their deep playoff run, Cousins will make for a great addition to any team.
With his well-rounded offensive game, consistently good rebounding, and aggressive approach to the game, Cousins would excel with the Raptors and play a vital role in their playoff run next season. The signing of Cousins would also give the Raptors a seasoned NBA veteran that could impart some wisdom to this young team with his previous playoff experience.
Montrezl Harrell
After a disappointing season playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, Montrezl Harrell will look to bounce back big next season. With the Raptors, he would perfectly fit the mold of their youth movement. As a young and energetic big who possesses speed, length, and athleticism, Harrell would be a welcome addition to this Raptors team and would give them much-needed frontcourt depth.
Given his ability to play power forward or center, Harrell would be able to provide the Raptors with a versatile defensive presence and dominant low-post scorer. He would also give them a great lob threat, powerful rim protection, and a strong rebounder. This would result in them getting more scoring opportunities on offense while forcing turnovers and making critical stops on defense.
With this signing, the Raptors are getting a dynamic combo big in his prime that could elevate their play on both ends of the floor. They're also bringing in a multi-skilled that could help contribute to many of their playoffs runs well beyond this season.
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