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Toronto Raptors: Would Anthony Davis consider signing with the Raptors?

By Mark Birdsell

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 27: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives against Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center on January 27, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 27: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives against Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center on January 27, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 27: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives against Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center on January 27, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 27: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives against Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center on January 27, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

The Toronto Raptors will have salary cap space in 2020. Anthony Davis is set to be a free agent. Could he be the team’s top free agent target?

Change comes quickly in the NBA. Trade rumors surface all the time. But most often the trades that happen are the ones you don’t hear about first. The right trade has the ability to alter the direction of a franchise.

Before the clock struck midnight on July 1st, it appeared that the summer was going to be relatively quiet. LeBron James decided to take his talents to Los Angeles. Kawhi Leonard requested a trade. But the Lakers, 76ers and Celtics did not want to part with their young players. The Lakers were prepared to wait until next summer, when Leonard can become a free agent.

A weak trade market allowed Masai Ujiri to swoop in and acquire Kawhi Leonard. When the Raptors first surfaced as a potential suitor for Leonard, it was immediately dismissed. But other teams were not prepared to offer a substantial package for a player who might end up being a one-year rental.

There will be a number of teams looking to sign Leonard next summer. There has been a record number of one-year contracts signed this offseason; a focus has been on preserving cap space for next summer.

The salary cap is set to rise to $109 million next year, up from just under $102 million. ESPN Insider, Bobby Marks noted there will be 200 free agents, including 15+ All-Stars and at least half of the league with cap space. The list of potential free agents includes Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson and Jimmy Butler.

The Toronto Raptors are not projected to have cap space next summer. The team’s payroll is $133.6 million, with 10 players under contract. This includes Leonard’s player option ($21 million) which he is expected to decline.

Their priority will be convincing Leonard to sign a long-term contract. If the Raptors are able to retain Leonard, it will completely change the narrative that has surrounded this franchise for 23 years.