Toronto Raptors: Why Norman Powell is likely to be traded next
The Toronto Raptors have made their big move this summer trading DeMar DeRozan. However, it appears they’re not done dealing and Norman Powell might be next.
The Toronto Raptors made the biggest trade in franchise history earlier this week, acquiring Kawhi Leonard for Raptor legend DeMar DeRozan.
After acquiring the best talent in Raptors’ history and assembling perhaps the best team in the Eastern Conference, one might think team president Masai Ujiri was finished for the summer. That doesn’t appear to be the case.
A tweet from Ian Begley has reported that the Toronto Raptors are not done exploring their trade options for the summer, with the main objective being to shed salary space.
Several opposing executives say the Toronto Raptors remain motivated to shed salary via trade following the Kawhi Leonard deal earlier this week.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) July 20, 2018
With a current luxury bill at approximately $31 million, before even filling out the roster, the reports seem reasonable. Toronto has yet to pay the tax to this point, and while they should be willing to pay the luxury tax next season, reducing to a more reasonable number makes sense for ownership.
Toronto has seven players making at least $8 million next season. Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, and Fred VanVleet were all recently acquired or re-signed, so it seems unlikely they will be dealt.
Another two other options unlikely to be traded this offseason are Kyle Lowry and Jonas Valanciunas. Both players have large contracts that will be difficult to move and both players are too integral to the Raptors success to trade without receiving a good haul in return.