Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Durant (Photo : Getty Images)
The Toronto Raptors enter the free-agency period searching for that missing piece of their championship puzzle. Although this summer has abundance of talent in the free-agency pool, there's one player out there that could change the fate of this organization without shelling out max money. His name is Dirk Nowitzki.
With Demar DeRozan almost a lock to stay North of the Border, the Raptors can only focus on one thing: forming a team capable of dislodging the Cleveland Cavaliers as the lords of the Eastern Conference and perhaps win it all next year.
Raptors top decision-maker Masai Ujiri has the resources (draft picks and young players) to pull off a major move on the trading front. Then again, any move can take away the chemistry the team has carried over from their Eastern Conference finals stint last season.
That leaves Ujiri with one option, and that's to improve the team's caliber through free-agency. In a summer that is expected to break records in terms of paycheck value, there's a free-agent out there who could come cheap but surely provide enormous impact on the floor. That's Nowitzki.
And here are three simple reasons why the Raptors can bring the most celebrated player in Mavs history to Toronto.
Hunger for that second ring - Indeed, this isn't the first time Nowitzki opted out of the final year of his deal to become a free-agent. However, there's a feeling in the air that Dirk will weigh his option a lot harder this time around.
At 38, Dirk understands his championship window is about to close for good, and playing with a team that has real shot at it is necessary. Unfortunately, the Mavs failed time and time again in surrounding him with talents ever since his triumph in 2010.
Another failure by the Mavs top brass this summer could force the Big German to find another home. The Raptors, coming off an Eastern Conference finals stint, apparently are in much better position to reach the finals because of a much weaker conference.
Dwayne Casey effect - There's no coach out there outside Rick Carlisle who understands Nowitzki the most than Casey. As part of the 2010 NBA title winning coaching staff, Casey knows how to use Nowitzki's talent to its fullest potential.
While Luis Scola has done a great job at that power forward position last season, the Raptors will be much better team with Nowitzki filling in that spot under Casey's tutelage.
Championship-Ready Roster - this is probably the biggest reason why Dirk would pick the Raptors as his next home, The Raptors are ripe to contend for the title, having reached as deep as the East Finals and provided LeBron James and company a run for their money in that series.
With DeRozan and Kyle Lowry doing their job in the backcourt, the Raptors will easily become a true contender should they enlist Dirk's service for a year or two. The best thing about it is they don't need to pay him max money, allowing them to allocate the remainder of their available cap space to strengthen their bench mob.
