Raptors Rumors: Acquiring JaVale McGee Would Boost Defense, Rebounding

Veteran big man JaVale McGee has officially become a free-agent after he was waived by the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, allowing him to sign with a playoff contender before the season ends. With several teams expected to make a hard push for McGee, should the Toronto Raptors join the fray for the service of the athletic big man?

At 37-22, the Raptors are in ideal position to finish their regular-season campaign with one of the top four spots in the Eastern Conference, assuring them a home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Unfortunately, Toronto hasn't been playing the team that went 24-8 through the first two months of the season. In fact, the Raptors have remained winless since returning from All-Star break, losing at the hands of the Houston Rockets, New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors and even the lowly New York Knicks.

While they sustained their high-scoring pace at 104.3 points per game (5th in the league), the Raptors are mediocre ball club in assists (22nd in league at 20.6 per game), rebounding (24th at 41.9 per game) and defense (105 points allowed per game).

The Raptors had an opportunity to address their rebounding and defensive issues, but general manager Masai Ujiri, known for pulling off big moves on the trading block the past few years, was surprisingly inactive days leading up to February 19 trade deadline.

However, with the Raptors' loopholes exposed these past few games, it may be the right time for Ujiri to fortify his frontline defense and boost up its listless rebounding.

McGee, who is averaging 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in his career, could be the answer the Raptors have been looking for all this time. Although he has earned notoriety for committing lapses on both ends of the floor, it's still hard to find a talent that possess the length and athleticism McGee offers to table.

He could be an ideal backup for starting center Jonas Valanciunas, who is putting up solid number in his third season (12 points and 8.8 rebounds) but never known to be an excellent rim protector.

Coming off lengthy rehab to recover from a stress fracture in his tibia, the 27-year old McGee played 17 games with the Denver Nuggets before he was traded along with a first-round pick to the Philadelphia 76ers. He averaged at least 3 points and 2 rebounds in six games with Sixers.