The Toronto Raptors have agreed to terms with the Phoenix Suns for impending free agent swingman Mikael Pietrus.

The deal is about three years too late, but that is neither here nor there.

Mikael Pietrus brings a much needed defensive prowess to the Toronto Raptors and is a player whom despite being known more for his D, can also drain the three and help spread the floor for the Raptors.

He will likely serve as the immediate backup to James Johnson after the Raptors lost Sonny Weems to free agency and Linas Kleiza to injury.

The addition of Pietrus and Magloire instantly gives the team some toughness both on the inside and now on the perimeter.

Toronto Raptors fans know all too well that Pietrus is capable of catching fire from deep as he went 8 for 11 from downtown against the Raptors on Novemeber 12th 2010.

Taking a look at his career high numbers one becomes quite impressed as across different games he has managed to post 8 threes, 5 blocked shots, 6 assists, 14 rebounds and 28 points.

Despite the Toronto Star’s Doug Smith’s insistence to the contrary, there should be no plans to allow Pietrus to compete with the younger, arguably more talented James Johnson for the starting small forward role, rather, Pietrus should serve as a highly capable backup to a player who needs to get consistent 30 minute a night games in order for the Raptors to determine whether or not to move on from him next year in a draft stock full of small forwards.

Acquiring the expiring contract of Mikeal Pietrus from always trying to save money Phoenix Suns was a shrewd move by Bryan Colangelo and one that was likely made with Dwane Casey’s defensive mentality in mind.

And the negligible cost of a protected 2nd round pick makes the deal that much more attractive.