I am sure someone has already posted on it, but he isn't one of the choice in this post, but why wouldn't we trade for Valanciunas ?
Something like : Valanciunas for Kanter+ Poirier+ Langford
Some will tell an old school center as Valanciunas isn't the answer and that the raptors let him go because they didn't see him able to lead to a title. Apparently they were true, but :
1) Valanciunas has good offensive skills in the paint, good rebounding abilitys. Not as good as Kanter but without the redondant weeknesses of Enes. He will solidify our paint.
2) He is a player in his prime and in a controlled contracts for next 3 years (even discreasing). He plays well this year with 16 points 10 rebounds and is a quiet good passer. A very correct overall center (in the middle+ of the NBA starters I guess)
3) OK maybe he doesn't catch the CBS mentality and defensive tactic of switch and isn't the best player for P/R but he isn't like Kanter, a black hole on switch, he is more like ost of bigs in the league. And we would still have Theis to play sometimes sub at 4 and for some matchups to play at 5 against sall lineups
4) OK we loose a good prospect in Langford. But we have to give Something to catch the Grizzs. And we can easilly next year or even this after buyout find a good substitute scorer veteran who signs in for a ring… And Langford is till a prospect, with injuries proe. I am not sure Grizzs would bite (he could be the same prospect as for us : a future 6 men slashing from the Bench)
5) It disturbs totally the Grizzs momentum. They become very Young and weak on the paint. The picks won't go to 12-15 but fall to 5-10, which will allow us to take maybe Stewart this year or to have unprotected first next year.
6) He brings veteran mentality. We have wonderfully mature and fighter Young bucks, but they are still lacking experience. It can be usefull. He has also playoff experience
7) And it's the most important point : we have a better chance to beat 76ers or even Lakers/Clipps this year and we Don't loose any important asset as Smart or the Grizzs pick (improving even this one)