Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune reported that the Toronto Raptors are interesting in making a move to reel in Boris Diaw. The 35-year-old veteran played for the Utah Jazz this season. Diaw broke into the league in 2003 and has played for the Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Hornets, and San Antonio Spurs before that. Diaw averaged 4.6 points this season in 17.6 minutes of playing time.
Another veteran
The Raptors recently traded Cory Joseph to the Indiana Pacers for CJ Miles. The move added a veteran point guard that has been in the league for quite some time.
The Raptors bench needed some work after losing PJ Tucker and Patrick Patterson to free agency. Tucker signed with the Houston Rockets while Patterson went to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Diaw can still play a solid 15-20 minutes a game off the bench. He has also been consistent in terms of his health. Diaw has played in at least 73 games or more in the last five seasons despite being in his thirties. With the addition of Diaw and Miles, it will provide the team with a fill in when players like Kyle Lowry or Serge Ibaka need a break.
Diaw also has leadership qualities that make him a great locker room presence. He was a key component off the bench when the Spurs won an NBA championship in 2014.
The Raptors are looking to make a run to top the eastern conference, and Diaw's experience could help with a team that has not made the conference finals.
Cap space for Jazz
The Jazz did not want to pay Diaw the $7.5 million remaining on his contract, so they decided to renounce his rights before the July 15 deadline. Diaw also became expendable when the team signed Jonas Jerebko.
Not to mention the team also has Joel Bolomby and Tony Bradley on the bench. The team is looking at building a defensive minded team around Rudy Gobert and Diaw did not fit that description.
Jazz moving forward
The Jazz has had to make a bundle of moves after losing out on the Gordon Hayward sweepstakes. The team signed Thabo Sefolosha and made a trade for Ricky Rubio.
The team is also hoping that Donovan Mitchell will pan out to have a great rookie season.
The Jazz recently said they want to be a defensive minded team since they do not have the high octane offense like others in the western conference. Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey recently said the team is not planning on rebuilding, but building the team around Gobert. The Jazz are likely going to depend on Rodney Hood and Dante Exum to take a step forward offensively.
