Toronto Raptors: Why They Should Go After Hasheem Thabeet

Hasheem Thabeet was a highly touted defensive center coming from the University of Connecticut, where his shot blocking and rebounding skills were amazing and made the jaws of scouts drop.

Fast forward to 2011, and many know Hasheem Thabeet as the highest draft pick to be ever sent down to the NBA development league (D-League).

The problem with this was also the fact that the team that drafted him, did not really need him. Memphis wanted Blake Griffin, Marc Gasol was emerging as the future center, and the Grizzlies had just drafted a shooting guard in OJ Mayo, making it difficult for Thabeet to get any playing time. 

Thabeet has the potential to be a great shotblocker, and do not let his numbers fool you. In just twelve minutes of playing time, Thabeet was able to average 1.3 blocks per game in his rookie season.

Dwight Howard, averages three BPG in around 37 minutes, which is basically one block every 12 minutes. If you look at the stats that way, then Thabeet can easily be going around averaging three blocks as well.

Thabeet's rebounding numbers also showcase his potential. He averaged 3.6 RPG in his rookie season in those 12 minutes. Now put him in a scenario with the Raptors, where he will most likely be averaging 30+ minutes, should he be installed as the starting center, Thabeet can average around 12 RPG along with three blocks, if things go consistently.

That is all you would want from a center either way, as the offensive workload would be given to Andrea Bargnani, Demar DeRozan, and Jerryd Bayless. These three players have shown their capability of scoring on a nightly basis.

Thabeet has potential written all over him, but the truth is that teams never gave him a chance to show what he is capable of. If the Raptors are able to somehow sign him, and it is highly probable that Houston will not use its team option on Thabeet, then he can easily be a stud on the team.

The real problem is the logjam in the frontcourt. If the Raptors are to sign Thabeet, and he produces better than most expect him to, then there will be a problem with Valanciunas coming into the NBA, but if Thabeet plays poorly, then Valanciunas can come and take away his spot.

For all those reasons, Thabeet should be signed to a one-year contract with a team option for another year in the $1-2 million range.