National Basketball Association

Raptors need elder statesman on roster

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Raptors haven’t had a butt-kicker of a player for years, not since Oak kept Vince on the straight and narrow. Maybe it’s time to find another one.

The Toronto Raptors are well underway with training camp; in fact, their first pre-season game tips off tomorrow night. The invitees are eager, numerous – and very young.

The Raptors have exactly one player whose age begins with a 3, that being Kyle Lowry. While I love young teams, particularly those with the playoff experience the Raptors have accrued these past few seasons, there is a limit to my affection.

The Raptors are too young and need to add a wily veteran. The team currently is a band of brothers with no parental supervision in the dressing room. We note the departure of Kevin Garnett from the kindergarten which is the Minnesota Timberwolves. I’m not sure his retirement serves the T’Wolves well.

The prototypical WV is the long retired, but still slightly scary, Charles Oakley. Let’s scour the rest of the league for a cheap veteran who can contribute in a limited role while commanding everyone’s attention when he speaks.

Matt Bonner doesn’t want to pack in his career. He’s a former Raptor who loved living in Toronto and wanted to become a Canadian citizen so he could play for our national team. Bonner has two championship rings from his tenure with the San Antonio Spurs, but appears unlikely to suit up for them again. Masai Ujiri wouldn’t be risking much by signing Matt to a veteran’s-minimum deal.

Mar 10, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Toronto Raptors shooting guard DeMar DeRozan (10) drives for the basket between San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (left) and Matt Bonner (right) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Other possibilities

Tyler Hansbrough is unsigned, but I wouldn’t be in favour of his return. He wouldn’t bring the credibility of a Bonner in the room, and Matt can still shoot from outside. Tyler’s playing time would be limited to bothering opposing big men.

Another ex-Spur, Andre Miller, is looking for work. If a serious greybeard (he’s 40!) like him was going to join the Raptors, our team would have suffered a disastrous string of injuries to the backcourt.

Nazr Mohammed hasn’t got a deal yet. He’s a popular, well-travelled centre/forward. Nazr can still run the floor, rebound and defend. We could do a lot worse.

Jason Thompson was briefly a Raptor late last season, and through the playoffs. He’s found a new home some distance away.

I’m staying away from trade proposals for this eminence grise of a player. If we can’t sign whoever he is for a small sum, he’s not worth getting.

So what do you think, Rapture Nation? Would you welcome Matt Bonner back, or someone else, even to the loss of a roster spot for a youngster? Comments, please.