Toronto Raptors: Welcome, Michale Kyser
By Joshua Howe
The Toronto Raptors are finalizing their roster for the season. Their new squad is looking pretty solid, though size is one thing they’re lacking to a significant degree. This is particularly evident at the power forward spot, with Amir Johnson having left to join the Boston Celtics.
Enter Michale Kyser. Besides having arguably the best name on the team (DeMar DeRozan always gets me with the alliteration), Kyser provides an essential need. He’ll be a third string four, after Patrick Patterson (who looks like he’s starting this year) and Luis Scola.
ALSO ON HOOPSHABIT: 25 Greatest Individual Seasons in NBA History
Kyser comes out of Louisiana Tech, where he was a senior last season. In 2014-15, he averaged 8.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.9 blocks on 60.6 percent shooting from the field. He played an average of 28.7 minutes a night.
The 23-year-old is 6’10” and weighs in at 205 pounds. He’ll need to gain some muscle to play the NBA game, but his frame is great and his wingspan is spectacular. He has great timing and defensive know-how, represented in his nearly three blocks a game. He actually led the country in blocks with 364.
More from Toronto Raptors
- NBA Trades: 10 Pascal Siakam deals the Raptors must consider
- Grade the Trade: Warriors become title-favs in proposed deal with Raptors
- NBA Trades: Memphis bolsters their roster in this deal with Toronto
- NBA Trades: This Pelicans-Raptors deal would send a star to the Big Easy
- 3 NBA teams facing do-or-die 2023–2024 seasons
This kid is a Dwane Casey special. He knows his role–he only shot the ball 5.8 times a game last season, and almost always converted when he did. He grinds on defense and doesn’t need any plays run for him. Basically, he’s a younger, poor man’s Amir Johnson.
None of the power forwards that the Raptors currently sport are starting caliber. Patterson is a very good backup, but he really shouldn’t be starting for a team that wants to contend. But Scola is an even worse option to start, so here we are.
Kyser is the balance to Scola.
When Casey needs scoring on the block? He’ll send in Scola. When Casey needs a rim protector and shot-swatter? Kyser hits the hardwood.
It will be fun to see how Casey handles having these two completely different players on the squad. They both have unique skill sets and are very good at one particular thing. It will tell us a lot about Casey too: will this finally be the year when he learns to make the correct adjustments? With players like these, he’ll have to, or things will go awry faster than fans can yell, “FIRE HIM!”
With the addition of Kyser, the Raptors’ depth now looks like this:
Live Feed
Raptors Rapture
- PG: Kyle Lowry, Cory Joseph, Delon Wright
- SG: DeMar DeRozan, Terrence Ross
- SF: DeMarre Carroll, James Johnson, Bruno Caboclo
- PF: Patrick Patterson, Luis Scola, Michale Kyser
- C: Jonas Valanciunas, Lucas Nogueira
It looks like Kyser won’t be kicking it in a Raptors uniform long-term though. Toronto brought him in on a one-year, partially guaranteed deal. He’s a quick fix, a hole-filler.
Still, this is his shot. If he works hard and makes a difference in some games, who knows?
In his final summer league game with Toronto, Kyser posted 12 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. It’s nice to see the kid get rewarded.
Welcome to the club, Michale Kyser. Toronto fans love the grit and grind. You should fit right in.
Next: Houston Rockets: Absorbing The Blow Of Josh Smith's Departure
More from Hoops Habit
- The 5 most dominant NBA players who never won a championship
- 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
- Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
- Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
- Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout