2016 NBA Free Agency: 1 move every team needs to make to be contenders

Toronto Raptors

The Raptors had the most successful postseason in the history of the franchise. They overcame two seven-game series against Paul George’s Pacers and Dwane Wade’s Heat and even took LeBron James and the Cavs to a 2-2 tied Eastern Conference Finals. The trouble was that they didn’t have an answer when the Cavs schemed to take out one of Kyle Lowry or DeMar DeRozan, even with a memorable performance from Bismack Biyombo. Part of it was the injury to their starting center Jonas Valanciunas, and part of it was the lack of a third option or wing player. DeMarre Carroll’s injuries in the regular season were a big part of the latter.

Headed into the offseason, they stand to bring back or lose DeMar DeRozan and Bismack Biyombo. But the question is if both of those players are going to be worth the max money they’ll likely be getting in this market. Already, it is being reported that DeRozan is getting a five-year deal from the Raptors, so the true question is how to replace Biyombo. They already drafted Jakob Pöltl who will help fill in for some of those minutes, but I think the Raptors could also look to upgrade with a mobile/stretch-four. Jared Dudely is a great veteran player that fits that bill, but the Raptors could look at Mirza Teletovic. Teletovic shot 39.5% from three-point range this past season and could be a great offensive threat to pair with Valanciunas.

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