The Raptors playoff quest is exciting and immediate. However, there are issues which can’t be ignored about next season’s roster.
As we promised recently, you’re going to see a number of posts dealing with the Toronto Raptors and their financial issues. The obvious downside of “You can’t keep everybody (because the salary cap won’t let you)” is the movement of players we like. Today we consider what to do with Cory Joseph.
The Raptors’ only Canadian has been here since being released by the San Antonio Spurs. It’s spooky and rather sad that CoJo needs to leave his home town team where he’s well-regarded because the money doesn’t work. But facts don’t change no matter how miserable, so let’s deal with it.
Impact of trade on Raptors
Our Contributor, Lucas Richards, opened this topic with an insightful look at this situation, so I won’t repeat. One key point Lucas made was that the Raptors will be healthy at the point even if Cory has to go. Delon Wright and Fred VanVleet should be adequate at worst as backups to Kyle Lowry. But Kyle won’t re-sign without serious money on the table, and it’s that money we’re trying to find.
CoJo is owed $7.6M next year, and has a player option following. That’s not crazy money in today’s NBA, but the trick of this exercise is to make it all go away. We need to find a team with cap room and a serious need for help at the point.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you…the Denver Nuggets. They have a ton of cap space. Their starting point man is Jameer Nelson, who’s about 82 in basketball-years, though his driver’s license says he’s 35. The backup, Emanuel Mudiay, was the #7 selection in the 2015 draft, but has played his way out of the rotation recently.
In their point guard of the future quest, the Nuggets left Needy behind some time ago, and are currently residing at Desperate. The acquisition of a steady, well-respected veteran like Cory Joseph would be a huge win for them, particularly when you consider how little I suggest they surrender.
Why, Brian, Why?
Remember what we’re trying to do here: free up salary cap space to sign first-line talent. Serge Ibaka, P.J. Tucker, Patrick Patterson, Kyle Lowry – all may be gone before next season tips off. The Raptors’ status as championship contenders could come to a screeching halt unless we find ways to bring all or most of these essential people back to our team.
What do you think, Rapture Nation? Let me know in the Comments.
Next: The theory of why CoJo needs to go