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As was reported last week, 35-year-old veteran Luis Scola plans to sign with the Raptors for one year at $3 million. Today served as his introduction to the Toronto media, though the official signing hasn't actually happened yet.
Luis Scola met the media today @AirCanadaCentre. Raptors expect to officially announce signing in the near future. pic.twitter.com/9vtxFJUZPV
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) July 13, 2015
Scola comes to Toronto having played the last two seasons in Indiana. Previous to that he spent a year in Phoenix and five years in Houston with the Rockets. The latter stop saw him backed up by Raptors forward (and now presumed starter) Patrick Patterson. He also got a look at the start of Kyle Lowry's career, noting:
Scola mentioned how it takes time for players to mature, get their head in the right place and says that’s happened with Lowry now.
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) July 13, 2015
While Scola's career is undoubtedly on the downside, he does bring a lot of savvy and veteran know-how. For a team boasting young forwards in Jonas Valanciunas and Bismack Biyombo, this has value. But Scola made it clear he expects to be more than just a bench sage:
Scola said he hasnt talked role w/ Casey yet but expects to be a big part of the rotation. Doesn't anticipate any drop off in play at age 35
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) July 13, 2015
With the 6'9", 245 pound Scola aboard, the Raptors frontcourt rotation appears to be set with Valanciunas, Biyombo, and Patterson rounding out the foursome. There's also the potential for some interesting lineup permutations featuring small ball fours in James Johnson and DeMarre Carroll (with Scola at the 5).
Wisely, Scola did his best to temper expectations:
Scola sums up consistency/2015 expectations : "I'm not going to get extremely better at 35 and I'm not going to be extremely worse either."
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) July 13, 2015
Now that's an attitude I can support. Welcome aboard Luis!
What do you guys think?