Toronto Raptors: 5 offseason roster moves they must make

4. Replace Marc Gasol

Now that Marc Gasol has chosen to play in Spain after a 12-year career in the NBA, the Raptors need to find a replacement. His impact on games extends way beyond his raw numbers, it is the experience and defense which has defined his time up north.

Gasol averaged 7.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.9 blocks, and 0.8 steals in 26.4 minutes per game last season. He started 43 of 44 games that he played. The Raptors had 35 wins and only nine losses in those games.

Gasol is so smart with the ball. Not only does he know when to shoot, but he is also one of the better passing big men in the game. Those 3.3 assists per game don’t begin to underline the importance of his passing.

He was also usually the inbounder when the Raptors had any key pass to make. The old adage goes that the inbounder is the most dangerous player on the court and this was true for Gasol. He had range on his shot. He had the ability to pass or screen, opening up his perimeter threats for a better shot.

With Gasol going, the Raptors have a huge hole to fill. If they can re-sign Serge Ibaka then this situation is not as desperate. However, it is the intangibles that Gasol brought with him that are going to be tough to replicate.