Raptors just gifted Spurs the perfect big to propel them into playoffs

The Toronto Raptors just signed former Spurs big man Sandro Mamukelashvili to be their backup center, joining second-year big Jonathan Mogbo. They also agreed to a lucrative contract extension with another former Spurs big, Jakob Poeltl, who will be their starting center for years to come.

That series of moves essentially means that they will not be bringing back Chris Boucher. The undrafted big man out of Oregon has spent the last seven years in Toronto and is the only remaining player from the 2019 Championship season. He will now join the likes of Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet and Kawhi Leonard on new teams.

Could the San Antonio Spurs be such a team? They were rumored to be in the market for a pair of frontcourt additions this summer. They succeeded in landing perhaps their top target in former Boston Celtics big man Luke Kornet, a shrewd pickup that will ensure high level rim protection and give the Spurs a different element in a rim-running option behind Victor Wembanyama.

Yet Kornet is a very different player than Wembanyama -- despite his attempt at being a stretch big early in his career, he has adapted into a non-shooting traditional big man. That will be extremely helpful for the Spurs, but it means they have no like-for-like stretch big to either back up Wembanyama or play with him in large, spaced-out lineups.

The Spurs could use another stretch big

There are not many options available on the market for such a player, either. Al Horford is being hotly pursued by the Golden State Warriors, while Brook Lopez signed a substantial contract to join the LA Clippers. The Milwaukee Bucks were so desperate for such a player that they waived and stretched Damian Lillard's massive contract in order to sign Myles Turner.

Yet the Spurs could have a pathway to signing just such a player at a bargain to fill out their frontcourt. Last season, per ESPN stats, "only two players with at least 800 minutes last season averaged at least 20 points, nine rebounds and 2.5 3-pointers per 36 minutes. One was Chris Boucher. The other was Victor Wembanyama."

Boucher is unlikely to command a significant salary. If the Spurs can offer either a guaranteed role for Boucher or a contract slightly above the minimum, he could be had. At age 32 he is not someone to build around for the future, but he had the second-best season of his career a year ago and still has enough left in the tank for a couple of seasons alongside Wembanyama and company.

Given the lack of shooting in San Antonio's backcourt, from De'Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper (limited shooters) to Stephon Castle (an abysmal one), having shooting at other positions is vital. Add in the Spurs' desire to continue developing Jeremy Sochan, and having another shooting big would be a great idea.

The Spurs have financial flexibility, but not gobs of cap space to throw at potential additions. With Victor Wembanyama starting and playing big minutes at center, it doesn't make sense to spend assets in a trade for another big.

The answer may be heading their way, courtesy of Air Canada. The Toronto Raptors continue to make inexplicable decisions with their roster, and in the process, are gifting impact players to teams around the league.

The Spurs should consider making an offer to Chris Boucher. He could be the depth piece they need to weather the ups and downs of the regular season and unlock potent two-way lineups for the postseason. Given how low his market is likely to be, it's hard to beat finding an impact player at such a low cost.