Baynes, Len, Bembry sign with Raptors, Boucher is back, while Gasol heads to L.A.
The Toronto Raptors managed to assemble a solid frontcourt despite losing two centres to free agency.
The Raptors have reportedly signed New Zealand-born Australian forward Aron Baynes and former fifth-overall draft pick Alex Len and re-signed Montreal’s Chris Boucher, but Marc Gasol left for the Los Angeles Lakers, according to multiple reports, a day after Serge Ibaka joined the L.A. Clippers.
Baynes signed a two-year deal worth $14.3 million (U.S.) according to The Athletic.
Meanwhile, Boucher added another chapter to his storybook career, reportedly signing a deal worth $13.5 million (U.S.) according to ESPN.
The 33-year-old Baynes spent the past season with the Phoenix Suns where he averaged a career-best 11.5 points per game.
The eight-year veteran has also played for the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics.
Nerves were rising among Raptors fans after Ibaka left, and then reports surfaced about Gasol’s departure.
Gasol, who turns 36 in January, was a key member of Toronto’s 2019 championship run. Images of the likable Spaniard guzzling wine while revving up the crowd that choked the streets of Toronto during the celebratory parade will be some of the most memorable from the championship run.
Gasol reported for national team duty days later, and led Spain to a FIBA World Cup victory in August. The 6-11 centre suffered a hamstring injury that kept him on the bench for 28 of the Raptors’ 64 games this past season before COVID-19 led to the league being shut down March 11.
When the league resumed in June, he was noticeably slimmer, but he was not able to replicate his earlier success with Toronto, particularly on the offensive end.
Gasol was originally drafted by the Lakers in 2007, but was dealt to Memphis as part of the package that would net them his brother Pau in return. Pau went on to win two championships with the Lakers.
The seven-foot Len averaged 8.0 points and 4.8 rebounds with Atlanta and Sacramento last season. The 27-year-old Ukrainian was selected fifth overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2013 draft. He played five seasons with the Suns then two with Atlanta. .
Boucher went undrafted in 2017 after rupturing his ACL in the conference tournament of his senior season with the Oregon Ducks. After a two-way stint with Golden State, he signed with Toronto, and earned both player of the year and defensive player of the year with G League affiliate Raptors 905. The athletic forward averaged 6.6 points per game last season to go with 4.5 rebounds per game.
The Raptors also added DeAndre’ Bembry, signing him to a two-year deal worth $4 million (U.S.), according to ESPN. Bembry, 26, spent the past four seasons with t h e At l a n t a Hawks. He averaged 5.8 points a game in 49 games last season.