While the DeAndre Jordan fiasco might be the NBA story that is grabbing all the headlines, other important moves are still being made around the association. One of these is that 8-year veteran power forward, Luis Scola, announced via Twitter that he will be signing with the Toronto Raptors.
The Argentine entered the league when he was already 27 years old. Since his arrival to the NBA, Scola has produced solid numbers throughout his NBA career. Scola has averaged nearly 13 points and 7 rebounds per game during his NBA career, and has shot at nearly a 50% from the field.
Scola is a crafty low post scorer with some smooth moves down low. He can shoot it from mid-range when asked to and because of this can be extremely effective on the pick and pop. His offensive game will help to make up for the loss of 6th Man of the Year, Lou Williams, Who departed to the Los Angeles Lakers on a 3-year deal.
On the defensive side of things, despite not being athletic (at all) or possessing great defensive instincts, Scola has turned himself into a decent defender. He provides great hustle, stays on his assignment and most of all shows a massive amount of effort on that side of the ball. For his new coach Dwayne Casey, this is all he could possibly ask for.
According to reports, the Raptors have signed him to a one-year, $3 million deal. It's a relatively cheap contract that will help the Raptors for this upcoming season.
The Scola signing will add to the recent additions of former San Antonio Spurs guard Cory Joseph and defensive stopper, DeMarre Carroll. Joseph signed a 4 year $30 million contract to further bolster the Raptors' bench, while Carroll will presumably take up the starting small forward role.
After losing Amir Johnson to the Boston Celtics and Tyler Hansbrough being a free agent, the Raptors were lacking frontcourt depth. With the addition of Scola, Toronto now has adequate depth that will serve them well for the season to follow.
Their dealings this offseason will once again put GM Masai Ujiri's team firmly in the playoff picture and in line for a possible push for the coveted Larry O'Brien trophy.