Raptors & Salary Cap: under control in 2017-18

The Raptors want to remain a contender for years. Speaking of years, what does the salary situation look like for 2017-18?

I’ve never made any secret of my disdain for writing about the Toronto Raptors and the NBA’s salary cap. However, I suppose it’s like being a soldier – if you sign up, don’t complain when you have to contend with unpleasant things like flying bullets.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement, which governs relationships between players and owners, expires next June. While significant issues remain between the two sides, we as fans can only hope the critical stakeholders note the league’s incredible strength and don’t jeopardize the 2017-18 season with a strike or lockout.

Assuming a settlement occurs prior to ’17-18, the contract situation for the Raptors in that season is quite intriguing. I’m taking advantage of two useful sites, one being RealGM’s look at cap size from different perspectives [be warned: this post is for deep-divers only, and may induce drowsiness otherwise] and Basketball Insiders alway-helpful table of players and salaries.

I’ve used one to cross-check the data of the other; e.g., RealGM says the Raptors have 7 guaranteed contracts for ’17-18, and BI’s table is in agreement.

Those seven lucky fellows are: DeMar DeRozan, Jonas Valanciunas, DeMarre Carroll, Terrence Ross, Cory Joseph, Jakob Poeltl, and Pascal Siakam. Total owing to them: $81.62, and the salary cap is expected to be around $102 million.

Those without guarantees…

The power forwards I rank as one and two on the depth chart, Jared Sullinger and Patrick Patterson, need to enjoy an impactful ’16-17. Neither has so much as a team option for ’17-18.

We would be viewing the world most bleakly if we thought neither player will play well enough this season to warrant a fresh contract – maybe they both will. However, I won’t be in the least surprised if only one of them is still on the roster after the trade deadline in February. Both players will be hankering for more money, but I suspect Masai Ujiri would rather pick one and pay him perhaps $36 million over 3 years.

The other could be moved to an under-the-cap team like Philadelphia, who should be quite happy to grab a much-needed veteran in exchange for a future asset. Masai takes a long view on occasion; he can afford to, as he’s reportedly in negotiations to extend his tenure as Raptors’ top man. He might like dumping Patterson or Sullinger for Philly’s 2019 pick owed to the 76ers by the Kings. Better any return than none at all.

This scenario assumes Siakam demonstrates readiness to step into the rotation. He’s the cheapest option we’ve got, and is under contract control.

There’s another fellow, Kyle Lowry, who’s certain to have his hand out. He has a player option on his contract for ’17-18 and is being underpaid this season. He undoubtedly will opt out of the $12 million he’s in line for next year (and this), and demand a hefty raise.

Lowry could possibly double his pay in this fashion, which would severely burden the Raptors. However, the team has his Bird rights, so an amicable return to Toronto may be possible.

We’ll need to spend more time on this topic.