5 NBA teams that should sign Omri Casspi for a playoff run

1

Toronto Raptors

Atlantic, 

The Toronto Raptors continue to be without All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry, who is recovering from wrist surgery, and are sliding in the standings. The Raptors are being pushed by the Atlanta Hawks, who are two games back for the four seed in the East.

The Raptors made a power play at the trade deadline to procure Serge Ibaka from the Orlando Magic. They also acquired veteran P.J. Tucker from the Phoenix Suns. The Raptors’ moves filled some voids but will it be enough for them to return to the Eastern Conference finals?

The reserve forward unit for the Raptors combines for just 14.8 points per game. Only five teams in the league get a lower output from backup forwards. Three of those teams will be in the draft lottery in June.

Tucker is a “ho-hum” add and has scored three points over the last three games in 52 minutes of total action. He isn’t a good enough shooter to qualify as a “3-and-D” supplemental player behind DeMarre Carroll. Omri Casspi is a double-digit scorer when given opportunities. The Raptors when healthy have enough talent to elevate Casspi’s game, much how the Cleveland Cavaliers have for Derrick Williams. Casspi would give the Raptors another sharpshooter to space the floor for Derozan’s mid-range operations.

Next: Do the Golden State Warriors need more shooting?

Sure, signing Casspi may not deliver a championship to Toronto. But, you have to like their odds better if they can get more than three points from their backup small forward. Although Tucker and Carroll have defensive prowess, the ability to at least throw out another more offensive minded look could be important in the playoffs.

The bottom line is all the teams currently in front of the Toronto Raptors in the standings have improved. And while the Raptors have improved to an extent, they cannot rest on their laurels if they want to remain competitive now and beyond.