LA Clippers: 3 threats to sign Montrezl Harrell this offseason

Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors are quickly emerging as the biggest threat to sign Harrell. In fact, there have already been reports (Athletic paywall) linking the two together.

Toronto may have a hole at center next season that needs to be filled. Marc Gasol is a pending free agent who may be contemplating a return to Spain. Serge Ibaka is also a free agent who may be better suited to play power forward, even if he returns. Chris Boucher will be a restricted free agent.

Even if Ibaka comes back, that doesn’t preclude Harrell from playing time. Ibaka is on the downswing of his career and will need fewer minutes, and those are minutes Harrell is more than ready to take over as a starter or sixth man once again.

Of course, Harrell’s limitations are well-known and can prove to be problematic in big games. He has no ability to shoot from beyond the arc (unlike Gasol, who worked fastidiously to develop that skill) and isn’t a particularly strong passer either. In Nick Nurse’s system, those flaws can easily be exposed.

But the Raptors are in an interesting position as a franchise. In one regard, their contention window may be closing, with Kyle Lowry getting up there in age and several veterans poised to leave. On the other hand, Pascal Siakam is ready to usher Toronto into their next competitive window.

Bringing in Montrezl Harrell is a calculated risk. It may be the move that keeps Toronto in the top tier of the Eastern Conference, making them a big threat to go for it.