In a look at where the Raptors stand heading into free agency, Eric Koreen of The Athletic expects the team to re-sign both Fred VanVleet and Jakob Poeltl, although it will be expensive to do so. Koreen projects a four-year, $130MM contract for VanVleet and a three-year, $63MM deal for Poeltl. That would give Toronto $164.8MM committed to 12 players for the upcoming season, leaving no way to fill out the roster without exceeding the projected luxury-tax threshold of $165MM.
The Rockets may be ready to offer VanVleet a maximum-salary contract, but they reportedly want to limit it to two years. Toronto’s willingness to commit to a longer deal could be enough to convince him to stay, although Koreen also explores sign-and-trade possibilities with the Bulls, Timberwolves and Nets.
The Thunder and Spurs appear to be the best options for Poeltl, Koreen states, although he’s not sure if either franchise will offer a big-money deal to a center with limited shooting range. Koreen also cites the Bucks, Bulls, Lakers and Mavericks as teams that might pursue a sign-and-trade.
There’s more on the Raptors:
- Draft night was probably the best time to work out a trade involving Pascal Siakam or OG Anunoby, Koreen adds. A recent report that Siakam may not be open to re-signing with any team that trades for him should cool off his market, but Koreen expects Toronto to still get offers for Anunoby. He also believes it’s likely that both players will start next season with the Raptors, but they probably won’t agree to extensions this summer.
- Anunoby has selected CAA Basketball as his new representative, the agency announced (via Twitter). If Anunoby doesn’t sign an extension, he could become a free agent in 2024 by turning down a $19.9MM player option.
- Joe Wieskamp and the Raptors have reached an agreement to extend the guarantee date for next season’s contract to July 18, tweets Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca. The front office wants to see how he performs during Summer League before committing to another season, adds Murphy, who believes Wieskamp may get a small partial guarantee on the deal for agreeing to the change.
They need to trade for a superstar, like pascal is the perfect guy to trade. If it wasn’t so expensive like it used, like remember when they got kawahi for demar and one 1st rounder. Now 5 years later u would probably need a couple 1st round picks at least
Nope I don’t remember that. I remember nephew for demar a first and poeltl. And gave another first top 6 protected for poeltl back
Toronto is a declining team anyway, it doesn’t matter who they sign I see others teams in the east like Miami, Cleveland, NY way better than them and even teams like Indiana or Orlando Magic have better future than Toronto.
Exactly, they need to start putting talent alongside Scotties timeline. No reason to run this team back.
If they do, it really shows how much of the problem they blamed on Nick Nurse.
Nurse was a problem last year. He’s an excellent defensive coach but if you watched the Raptors play, you would bet they have never practiced a half court offensive play ever. The players knew it too. Nurse had lost the locker room. I’m excited what the Raps can do with a player friendly offensive minded coach
And, hopefully, the new coach will play and develop the younger talent, something Nurse had no desire to do last year.
Toronto is literally the laughing stock of the NBA. At least other teams either tank or try to compete
Toronto seems completely content just sitting there being middle class forever
The Chicago Bulls have entered the chat…
The laughing stock of the NBA is a bit… stupid.
They have the 2nd most wins over the last decade. A championship. One of the biggest fanbase in the NBA, an outstanding management team and owners with deep pockets.
MB81 you’re right they typically are run well no doubt. Lately though they seem to be in a holding pattern. A sign and trade with van vleet would likely be smarter than just running it back again with a 5-6 seed type of squad. Wasn’t like they didn’t have a top ten coach either (now he’s gone)
I agree. The run it back strategy is NOT a popular option among most fans but with all the positives I listed above (who would have guessed only GSW had more wins?) the franchise still struggles to attract top American free agents. So what option do they have?
Running it back is just fine by me. If healthy this team can compete with anyone in the East
Hey, at least it’s not the Knicks!
WAS just left the chat
That’s a little harsh. The Knicks, Chicago, Minnesota, and Portland are clearly worse.
Weren’t the knicks just a 4th or 5th seed? Seems they are actually coming around id put them ahead of Toronto easily
Minus that championship a few years back, right?
Good call. There is no way Toronto could catch those teams in the standings. When you list 5 juggernauts like that, it’s inconceivable they could make the playoffs
That’s a lot to pay for another play-in tourney loss
I read somewhere the rockets are going to offer vanvleet a 2-80m+ deal. If I’m him I’m signing that in a heartbeat. No state tax, and he will be able to pad his stats to re-up in 2 years.
Boy if only he padded his stats when playing with a superior team, in the most minutes, with free reign to shoot.