Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri faces several intriguing free agent decisions this Friday, per Josh Lewenberg of TSN. The choice that could indicate how Ujiri intends to approach what could be a loaded free agent class in 2021 — even without Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo — is how Ujiri and his front office intend to approach a potential contract extension for fourth-year small forward OG Anunoby.
Anunoby is eligible for a rookie contract extension this season. Depending on how much his play improves this season, he could be more affordable were the Raptors to extend him now than if they were to let him hit restricted free agency in the summer of 2021. An extension now, however, would cut into the team’s cap space ahead of next summer.
The club also has to consider valuable free agents Fred VanVleet, Serge Ibaka, and Marc Gasol, as well as promising young center Chris Boucher. There has been chatter for a while that the 35-year-old Gasol may head soon to Spain to finish his basketball career, making Ibaka that much more valuable to retain for the Raptors.
There’s more out of the Atlantic Division ahead of the NBA draft today:
- After packaging the Nos. 27 and 38 picks to the Jazz for the No. 23 pick in this year’s draft, the Knicks may be looking to use the No. 23 pick to help them trade up even further. The Knicks have talked with the Cavaliers about trading their Nos. 8 and 23 for Cleveland’s No. 5 pick. However, Kelsey Russo of The Athletic tweets that Cleveland is holding out for more value.
- New Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey has five draft picks to play with for his first draft with his new club. Rich Hoffman and Derek Bodner of The Athletic take a look at several realistic options the team could draft.
- With a current commitment to 16 players on their roster, the Celtics are looking to offload some of their three draft picks this season, according to John Hollinger of The Athletic. The Celtics would could achieve this by packaging their Nos. 14, 26, and 30 picks to move into the top 10. As we previously detailed, Boston could be looking to move as high as the top three. Alternately, the team could perhaps look to flip the No. 14 pick for a future first-rounder and use the lower two picks as draft-and-stash options, or trade the lower picks along with little-used role players.
Gasol is 25 years old ? Lol
Must be going by an ancient Roman calendar instead of a modern calendar.
If I am the Cavs, I think I would have preferred the 8, 27, and 38 package for the 5 over the 8 and 23 package.
I think the CAVS kinda got a roster crunch issue…
Nah 3 contracts aren’t guaranteed (Mckinnoe, Wade, and Bell). If we resign tristan and delly, then that would be 11 guaranteed contracts
I agree. With 10 fully guaranteed contracts on the books (im including a resigned Delly, and now Drummond), we could use as many extra young assets as possible since we will never be a free agent market destination
I like to see sixers package some picks for Nesmith(Vandy SG/SF). His stroke is prefect for this team.
The Celtics should be doing everything possible to either move up in the draft or somehow trade their picks for some other asset. A trade I heard that I think could really be solid… is swapping Hayward for Drummond along with the C’s 3 1st for the Cav’s 5th. But I’m not sure the Cavs would take it… if they would though I think that would be an awesome move. I’m not really in the camp of wanting to get rid of Hayward… in fact I think they’re a better team with him. But if that’s what it takes to get enough value from their Picks to move up that high — and they get the chance to see what having a big man like Drummond can do on a 1-year deal… I think at this point you’ve got to take it!
I think for CLE to get only Hayward & #14, 26 & 30 & have to give up Dre should be enough, no way the #5 goes to BOS!
It would be an awful trade for CLE, without the #5 is good for both teams, which should always be the aim of a trade, fleecing other teams ain’t a good trade for either party!
If Knicks are not able to sign 3 of the top 6 free agents
Then they are in deep trouble
The rest is not important
First bullet regarding the Knicks is all messed up. It’s the 38th pick, not the 28th, and why would they trade back the 5th for the 8th and 23rd after trading for it?
Only rumors out there. I agree those three picks better than 8 and 23 for #5. Only thing is Knicks must want Toppin. But I actually like Okoro and a PG (Flynn or Terry, Maledon). Toppin would be great for Garden. Especially if they can swing a Westbrook trade. Two high flyers would pump up the Garden. Cavs should be talking to Celtics about Love. They could take Toppin or Okongwu look to the future. I see a few trades coming tonight. It’s going to be fun. Hope we don’t mess it up lols.