Big Biz has gone south, but Raptors still in FA talks

Bismack is gone, and DeMar has returned. So far the Raptors free-agent results have been unsurprising. What’s next?

The news of the departure of Bismack Biyombo is no surprise to you or me. All of us who follow the Toronto Raptors knew there was little chance of retaining his services even before DeMar DeRozan re-signed with our team and blew through our salary cap space in the process.

Bismack is now an immensely wealthy man, thanks to the 4-year, $70-million contract he signed with the Orlando Magic. We wish him well.

There’s no point in considering GM Masai Ujiri’s next moves until we figure out where the team’s finances are. Here’s my take:

The Raptors are over the $94 million salary cap even before their first-round draft picks are signed. Fortunately, that’s permitted.

James Johnson, Luis Scola and Jason Thompson are officially Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA). While I suppose it’s possible they could return, I’ve removed them from consideration.

The Magic are almost certain to be looking for a new home for centre Nik Vucevic, who won’t enjoy many minutes now that Biz and Serge Ibaka are in town. Nik can score, but his defense would drive Dwane Casey up a wall.

Somehow the Raptors are rumoured to be in discussions regarding Pau Gasol. The only way I know of signing him would be to trade Terrence Ross to an under-cap team strictly for a draft pick or two. If someone knows another technique, please share.

I’m not sure how I feel about acquiring Gasol. He’s been a wonderful player – that’s indisputable – and a great teammate, by all accounts. While I’m warm towards the idea of acquiring a veteran to act as big brother/butt kicker, the numbers being bruited about are well beyond what I think is reasonable. $18M per for the last two years of Pau Gasol? And whose minutes is he going to poach? Jonas Valanciunas and Jakob Poeltl. How does that help us?

I’m more intrigued by what’s swirling around the future of Amir Johnson. He’s been told by the Boston Celtics they are planning to pick up the second year of his team-option contract UNLESS they run out of money because of having to pay for two free agents. One of them, Al Horford, is already on board. [20-second timeout: One of the deciding factors for Horford was the indifferent support afforded him and the other Hawks by Atlanta fans, particularly when contrasted to Celtics supporters. Keep it loud and proud, #We The North. Fans matter.] The other UFA, some guy named Kevin Durant, hasn’t decided on his next move, though he’s close apparently.

Can we conceivably bring back Amir, if the Celtics decline his option? There are worse ideas, though once again we’d have to send TRoss down the road (and possibly Patrick Patterson as well).

Here at the Rapture, we’re not a news site. That said, it’s hugely difficult not to get caught up in the free-agency madness.

I’m reminded of the arrival of my first child. Everyone warned my wife and me that our lives were about to change. We knew that already, we were reminded incessantly – and we still couldn’t have conceived how crazy things would get.

All the surprises turned out to be worthwhile. Let’s hope that applies to how the Raptors emerge from the 2016 free agent frenzy.