Toronto Raptors: 5 potential free agency targets if the core leaves

1. Blake Griffin, PF

The Scenario: Both Lowry and Ibaka leave

Hear me out. Please.

Yesterday, Brad Turner of the LA Times reported that Blake Griffin was taking a meeting with the Suns. Phoenix has trade assets, no doubt, but it would take a ton of movement for them to reach win-now mode. Griffin may be looking for a fresh start more so than a winning team. He’s also likely to meet with similar rebuilding teams.

If Lowry leaves and Ujiri hesitates to give Ibaka an offer, Griffin may still be mulling his options. If so, Toronto needs to get a meeting. Sure, ideally you’d rebuild after losing the face of the franchise. Yet Griffin is just as good as Lowry, and he’d keep the good times rolling in Toronto.

Earlier this month, Griffin put Toronto on his “Mt. Rushmore” of NBA cities. That’s probably nothing, but it also can’t hurt. The Raptors can offer Griffin more of the spotlight and more responsibility. He’s the type of frontcourt passer this iteration of the Raptors has never had, and he could work in a full-time point forward role, as The Ringer’s Jonathan Tjarks has suggested.

Traditional point guards? Forget about them with Griffin and DeRozan. The fit is iffy, but if you get the requisite shooting around them, that pairing could be lethal. DeRozan has never had a short roll partner like Griffin, while Griffin’s passing ability may unlock new off-ball skills in DeRozan.

All the salary dump situations that would have to occur if Porter joins Toronto apply here. By renouncing all cap holds and finding a suitor for Valanciunas or Carroll, the Raptors could get enough cap space to sign Griffin.

Next: 5 potential landing spots for Blake Griffin in free agency

The risk would be massive. Griffin has struggled through injuries, some off-court stupidity and up-and-down play the past two seasons. He’s still a star, though. And if the Raptors lose Lowry, they’ll certainly need some star power.