The Toronto Raptors didn't get a big-time free-agent this offseason as expected, but they were able to replenish what they lost by adding a mix of youngsters and veterans to an already talented nucleus.

Despite their attempts to make Toronto an enticing destination for free-agents to the extent of naming rapper Drake as its Ambassador, the Raptors zonked out on big-name hunting once more as elite free-agents picked the usual suspects.

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The Raptors made a run for LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Monroe, both All-Star caliber frontline players who would have finally given the team a legit scoring presence inside and solved their rebounding woes (28^th in the league at 41.5 rpg). They never got the same interest in return as Aldridge decided to go title-hunting in San Antonio with the Spurs and Monroe got hooked by the up-and-coming Bucks.

With the free-agency market running out of talent by minute, general manager Masai Ujiri reached deep into his pocket and shelled out $60 million to get the service of veteran swingman DeMarre Carroll.

The 28-year old Carroll cashed in on his breakout year after averaging 12.6 points and 5.3 rebounds for the Atlanta Hawks last season. Apart from putting up solid numbers on the offensive end, Carroll's growing reputation as one of the finest on-ball defenders in the league made things easy for the Raptors management to roll the dice on him.

The Raptors infused more defensive-oriented talent to their roster by acquiring Cory Joseph and Bismack Biyombo.

Joseph served as a backup for Tony Parker for four seasons, averaging 5.2 points and 1.9 assists in 14.9 minutes per game (ESPN/Stats). He will be backing up Kyle Lowry and at the same time, providing the defensive toughness and poised he learned during his stint with the Spurs.

Biyombo, on the other hand, will have another chance to show he belongs worth after four star-crossed seasons with the Hornets. The former 7^th overall pick averaged 4.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game over three seasons in Charlotte. The Congolese has been an underrated rim protector (1.6 career blocks per game), but the Hornets had to let him walk away as they look to put more emphasis on offense.

The Raptors may have lost two key contributors from last season in Amir Johnson (Boston Celtics) and Lou Williams (Los Angeles Lakers), they are still at the top of the heap in the Atlantic Division because of the maneuvers they have made to address their defense, according to Basketball Insiders writer Tommy Beer.

Tags Toronto Raptors, NBA rumors, NBA Trade Rumors, NBA news, Raptors free-agency update, Cory Joseph, Bismack Biyombo