Greg Monroe signing gives Toronto Raptors bench new dynamic

Greg Monroe adds new dynamic to Raptors bench

MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 27: Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the Toronto Raptors guards Greg Monroe #15 of the Milwaukee Bucks in the fourth quarter in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center on April 27, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)) /

Toronto has been in search of a Jakob Poeltl replacement since the Kawhi Leonard trade. They may have found their man in Greg Monroe.

The Toronto Raptors have been busy this offseason. After firing Dwane Casey, re-signing Fred VanVleet, hiring Nick Nurse, and trading for Kawhi Leonard, the Raptors have topped off their summer by signing veteran big man Greg Monroe.

Toronto lost young center Jakob Poeltl in its trade for Leonard and have needed a steady presence to fill in that role. Poeltl was solid for a 59-win Raptors team last season, shooting 71 percent at the rim (83rd percentile among bigs per Cleaning The Glass).

Poeltl still has room to grow and will probably do so in San Antonio. For now, however, Monroe may be a better option for Toronto — bringing in a well-established skillset.

Monroe is also efficient around the rim, shooting 70 percent there last season. He has also developed a nice mid-range game.

The two noticeable areas of difference in Monroe and Poeltl’s games, however, is defense and passing.

Don’t get me wrong, Monroe is not a good defender. He is limited physically and has never been a rim protector, whereas Poeltl showed last season he could block some shots. But Monroe has figured out a way to have an impact on that end, particularly with active hands. In his eight-year career, Monroe has been one of the highest-ranking big men in steal percentage.

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Next to Pascal Siakam, a young, versatile defender, Monroe will not have to worry about protecting the rim and will be put into spots where he is more comfortable.

Monroe has also boasted one of the highest assist percentages among big men in his career, which will be useful next to shooters such as VanVleet, Kyle Lowry, CJ Miles, and Danny Green.

By the time the season rolls around, Poeltl may surpass Monroe in total impact. But for this Toronto team, Monroe may actually be the better fit.

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