Raptors free agency: three budget-friendly center targets

The Toronto Raptors will need to address their weaknesses if they hope to take a meaningful step forward next season. Near the top of their offseason to-do list should be improving the center position.

While Toronto isn’t expected to have significant cap space available, there are still several affordable options in free agency who could help shore up one of the team’s biggest areas of concern.

Here are three cost-effective big men who could make sense for the Raptors heading into next season.

Mitchell Robinson – New York Knicks

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Mitchell Robinson is currently showcasing his value on the NBA’s biggest stage, playing a crucial role for the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. His high-energy, defense, and rebounding have been vital to the Knicks success.

ARobinson’s offensive limitations, particularly his free-throw shooting, might not make him starting calibre material, he has proven to be an ideal backup big. We have seen him play backup to Karl-Anthony Towns at a high-level and there would be no reason to why he couldn’t do the same behind Jakob Poeltl.

During the regular season, Robinson averaged 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in just 19.6 minutes per game. He remains one of the league’s most active offensive rebounders and because of his frame and length he brings a strong defensive presence every time he steps on the floor.

What’s more is that the Raps already seem interested in Robinson. According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, Toronto is among several teams interested in the 28-year-old.

“Teams regularly relayed to me when I’ve asked around about Robinson’s status have pointed to the [Chicago] Bulls, [Charlotte] Hornets, [Los Angeles] Lakers, and Raptors,” Fischer reported. “Those are all clubs known to be looking for center upgrades.”

Jock Landale – Atlanta Hawks

While Jock Landale doesn’t provide the same level of rebounding as Robinson, he offers something the Raptors desperately need, which is floor spacing.

Landale split time between the Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks this season, appearing in 68 games. Unfortunately, an ankle injury sidelined him for the entirety of Atlanta’s playoff run.

When healthy, however, Landale was highly productive. He averaged 10.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 22.1 minutes per game while posting the best three-point shooting numbers of his career. Landale connected on 38.3 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc while averaging 2.5 three-point attempts per game.

That shooting ability would be especially valuable for a Raptors team that struggled from deep all season. Toronto finished 26th in three-pointers made and ranked 21st in three-point percentage at 35.4 percent.

Dwight Powell – Dallas Mavericks

Dwight Powell may not be the most glamorous option on the market, but he remains the type of player every team can use.

The Toronto native has built a reputation as a consummate professional and dependable glue guy throughout his NBA career. Whether serving as a starter, rotation piece, or veteran presence off the bench, Powell has consistently embraced whatever role his team has asked him to fill. That in itself is why he could be an intriguing low-risk addition for the Raptors.

Signing Powell would not require a significant financial commitment, allowing Toronto to maintain future cap flexibility while adding a respected veteran to the locker room. A return home could also provide extra motivation for the Canadian big man.

Despite a turbulent season in Dallas that featured constant roster turnover, Powell appeared in 63 games, making 12 starts while averaging 3.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 14.3 minutes per contest.

Why these three names?

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The Raptors may not have the resources to pursue a marquee center this summer, but that doesn’t mean they can’t improve the position.

Robinson would bring elite rebounding, Landale would add much-needed floor spacing, and Powell offers reliable veteran depth. Each presents a different solution, but all three could help Toronto strengthen its frontcourt without breaking the bank.

The Raptors clearly have a foundational player in Collin Murray-Boyles, and he needs to play some of his time at center. But he doesn’t have the size to spend all of his minutes there for an entire regular season. And it’s unreasonable to expect Poeltl to play a full season at center anymore after his 2025-26 season. Thus the Raptors need a minutes-eater, another center who can fill the void, but doesn’t demand 30 minutes a night and thus stifle the value of Murray-Boyles.

It’s clear there are plenty of possible solutions on the market. But whichever way the Raptors go, their center depth is a problem that needs solving this offseason.