Toronto Raptors: Predicting the 2018 buyout market

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HOUSTON, TX – MAY 2: Trevor Ariza #1 of the Houston Rockets looks on during the game against the Utah Jazz in Game Two of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Phoenix Suns, despite their efforts, are not going to be good. However, because they have attempted to be relevant over the past couple of years, they project to have three possible buyout options. Admittedly, some are more likely options than others.

Trevor Ariza:

Obviously the Raptors would love to add Ariza if given the oppurtunity. Unfortunately, it’s hard to imagine the Phoenix Suns cutting bait with Trevor Ariza. General manager Ryan McDonough, just gave Ariza a considerable one-year $15 million dollar contract, and the optics of giving up on a player you just spent $15 million on are terrible.

Logistically, the Suns will be likely be out of contention by January and any wins Ariza helps earn will only cost them valuable draft position. But General Managers focus on keeping their job first and logistics second.

Darrell Arthur:

The past two seasons Darrel Arthur has been buried on the bench in Denver, due to an embarrassment of riches at power forward. However the last time we saw Arthur play legitimate minutes, he was a productive NBA player.

When last on the floor, Arthur was a defensive minded power forward who was capable of stretching the floor on the other end. He is 6’9″, athletic, and has shot greater than 40-percent from beyond the arc over the past three seasons.

The only question remaining is if Arthur still has his fastball. Entering just his age-30 season, it seems very possibly. Luckily, Toronto will also have until mid-way throughout the year to answer that question.

If he plays well enough in Phoenix, he may just earn himself a playoff spot on a contender. If he doesn’t play well or doesn’t receive enough time, then he might be heading to Europe soon.

Tyson Chandler:

Similar to Arthur, the only question surrounding Chandler is if he has enough in the tank. Unlike Arthur, Chandler is entering his age 36 season, after playing more than 30,000 minutes in his career.

Last season, despite his advanced age, Chandler averaged 6.5 points and 9.1 rebounds in 25 minutes per game. In Toronto, Chandler’s role would likely be half that.

If seen strictly as a matchup play for 10-15 minutes per game, Chandler might still have enough in the tank to positively impact a title contender. At the very least, he will be a good mentor and provide championship experience from the end of the bench.