The Toronto Raptors emerged as one of the top young teams in the NBA during the 2013-14 season. Nearly making it to Round 2 of the playoffs only secured that idea. Free agency and the draft will be crucial for the team to return in 2014 and truly be contenders in the Eastern Conference. With Kyle Lowry's return the priority for the team, who could also come in?
An elite big man could be one of the key pieces the Raptors need to target in 2014. How about Pau Gasol? The forward/center is looking to sign to a winning team and if the Raptors re-sign Lowry, they will fit that description. Gasol is aging, but when given the moment to shine, he excels. Last year as the Lakers lone option, he stepped up with 17. 4 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. He is elite insider the paint, opening up the Raptors offense even more with his distributing skills.
Having Gasol would give the Raptors a third option outside of Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. The point guard's ideal position is being the third option and having the center allows that to happen. The issue will be affording Gasol. The market price would dictate that Gasol gets three years and around $39 million, but will that be possible with Lowry's contract that is expected to ready $9-10 million per season.
If Gasol turns out to not be an option, the team could look towards Greg Monroe as an option to fill the same position. Monroe is a restricted free agent this summer, but ESPN.com is reporting that with Stan Van Gundy in charge, there is no longer a spot on the court for the young forward. Monroe could come cheaper than Gasol. He is not yet elite and has not put up the numbers to dictate a long-term deal. The Raptors could target him as a player to build upon with the already young squad.
No matter what, Lowry is the first priority for the Raptors. The point guard will have a lot of attention on him in free agency and losing him could set Toronto back to a place they thought they would never be at again. He is the player that could attract free agents like Gasol to sign on.
