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All quiet on the Raptors front – in free agency anyway

By Brian Boake

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 19: Former Raptor, and current Spur, Rudy Gay (left) and Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) say hello following the game. Toronto Raptors vs San Antonio Spurs in 2nd half action of NBA regular season play at Air Canada Centre. Raps win 86-83. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 19: Former Raptor, and current Spur, Rudy Gay (left) and Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) say hello following the game. Toronto Raptors vs San Antonio Spurs in 2nd half action of NBA regular season play at Air Canada Centre. Raps win 86-83. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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The Raptors appear to be spectators as NBA free agent signings begin. Where are players of note off to, and should we as Toronto fans care?

Today is Canada Day, and coincidentally the beginning of NBA free agency. More precisely, midnight plus one second marks the time when teams can offer, and free-agent players can sign, new contracts.

The Toronto Raptors were not expected to make any splashy signings today, and so far the water remains unmoved. The hard-capped team is virtually hamstrung without trading away an expensive contract or two.

We are reduced to monitoring the actions of other teams, and considering what effects their signings have on ours.

PHILADELPHIA,PA – DECEMBER 21 : Amir Johnson #5 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks the ball against the Toronto Raptors at Wells Fargo Center on December 21, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA,PA – DECEMBER 21 : Amir Johnson #5 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks the ball against the Toronto Raptors at Wells Fargo Center on December 21, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

What’s done so far, with an exception

  • Paul George remains with OKC, which is a mild surprise, as he’s long been linked with the Los Angeles teams. He didn’t come East, so we’re happy.
  • Ersan Ilyasova returns to Milwaukee. He’s a useful defender with a quality outside stroke, so he’ll help them. I wish he’d gone West, but it’s hardly a scary transaction for us.
  • Joe Harris (Nets), Doug McDermott (Pacers), Nik Stauskas (Trail Blazers) – a trio of similar players, all of whom will live or die based on their ability to get open and make deep shots. I keep waiting for McDermott to enjoy a breakout season. Victor Oladipo did with Indiana last year; maybe it will happen there for McBuckets.

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  • LeBron James opts out with Cleveland. I’m cheating a bit here, as his destination isn’t finalized. The biggest question is whether he wants to wear the Purple & Gold of the LA Lakers. Those look like regal colours, King James – please go West!
  • Marco Bellinelli is back for another run with the San Antonio Spurs. This is a deal we’re happy about, as we don’t want Philadelphia any stronger. Marco can still bury jumpers from just over the half-court line, so him being out of the Atlantic Division is positive for Raptors fans.
  • Aron Baynes returns to the Boston Celtics. I wish he’d gone away, although it’s fun to watch him bang with Jonas Valanciunas and Serge Ibaka under the hoop. Baynes offers more than hard picks, paint presence and rebounding. He’s mobile and can make short- and medium-length jump shots. Boston was wise to bring him back.
  • In former-Raptors news, Rudy Gay (Spurs) and Ed Davis (Nets) have inked one-year deals. They are both on the career downslope, so I’ll be surprised if either one has much impact. Amir Johnson has been contacted by several teams interested in the services of the veteran big man. He’ll get a job.

To be continued…

There have been other signings of lesser interest.

We’ll continue to monitor free-agent signings, though I doubt the Raptors will be making any high-impact deals. Of course, I might find out within five minutes of publishing this post that Masai Ujiri has made a liar of me. It wouldn’t be the first time.

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