The Raptors will have major roster decisions to make during the 2020 and 2021 offseasons. At the end of the current season, Fred VanVleet, Serge Ibaka, and Marc Gasol will all become unrestricted free agents, forcing Toronto to either lock them up long-term, try to negotiate one-year deals, or risk losing them for nothing.
A year later, the Raptors’ cap is relatively clear, and there have been frequent whispers about the team looking to pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has a long-standing relationship with president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri.
While the financial impact of the NBA’s coronavirus-related hiatus may not entirely upend those plans, it’ll affect them to some extent, writes Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca. As Lewenberg observes, a lower salary cap than expected in 2020/21 may result in many free agents settling for one-year contracts, which could increase the Raptors’ chances of re-signing their own veterans.
As for 2021, Lewenberg thinks that the Raptors should have enough room for a maximum-salary player even if the cap levels off, but VanVleet’s next contract could be a wild card — a multiyear deal this offseason would cut into Toronto’s flexibility going forward.
Here’s more on the Raptors:
- Based on the current NBA standings, Toronto would receive the 28th and 58th overall picks in the 2020 draft. Blake Murphy and Sam Vecenie of The Athletic explore what the Raptors might be looking for with those selections, specifically discussing whether DePaul’s Paul Reed, Washington’s Isaiah Stewart, or Charleston’s Grant Riller could be among the team’s targets.
- Could Paul Watson, who signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Raptors in January, become the team’s latest under-the-radar value addition? Blake Murphy of The Athletic examines that question, with some input from veteran player development coach Rico Hines.
- NBA teams may start recalling players to their home markets in early June, but the U.S./Canada border will remained closed for non-essential travel for at least a few weeks beyond that. As we detailed earlier today, that’s not expected to be a major impediment for the Raptors.
Giannis will sign the super max
Well Milwaukee offers the maxiest max
Wiggins I Don think is staying in GS. But probably gets moved during season. IMO sooner the better. So Warriors can get their chemistry down. Always thought Wiggins was next Kobe. But he just doesn’t have that mamba mentality. He got talent but they haven’t coached him right. Maybe going home will finally wake him up. Raptors can switch picks with Warriors. Send Siakam for Wiggins. With pick they can take Toppin. Probably be ROY. Maybe even get another future pick from Warriors.
No chance. Siakam is an all star. Wiggins is an albatross. Only reason golden state made the trade was because dlo wouldn’t fit with Klay and steph. They picked up a 1st and 2nd for their efforts. Raptors won’t have money to improve so that means you are rolling with Wiggins and Lowry as your lead dogs. That team won’t make the playoffs. Siakam is signed long term, there is no reason they would trade him, let alone to a title contender, and on top of that for Wiggins
Lol what? There’s zero chance siakam gets traded especially not for Wiggins.
Let’s start Giannis going to MSG rumors. LoL.