The Toronto Raptors are NBA champions. However, many expect this to be a one-and-done title. What are the chances of each member of the squad returning to the team next season?
The Toronto Raptors defied the odds and conquered the league by dethroning the former champs. Now the crown is theirs to defend. In order to do so successfully, they need the right pieces to return.
This iteration of the Raptors is clearly the best version that has ever been assembled. Some players were essential to not just winning but also building a basketball culture in Toronto. The Raptors have big decisions to make and so do some of the players.
There will be players who continue on their Raptors journey, while others will be departing to play their trade elsewhere. We will examine the chances each member of the team returns for the 2019-20 campaign.
Nick Nurse
When Dwane Casey was relieved of his duties as the Raptors head coach, his assistant, Nick Nurse, was promoted to take his place. The move left some in the NBA scratching their heads, especially after Casey had just completed a season in which he won coach of the year.
As it turns out, Nurse was the right person for the job. Even as a rookie (in the NBA) head coach, he managed to lead the team to the pinnacle of the sport. Nurse is the franchise’s ninth head coach and it’s tough to see a scenario in which a tenth comes along too soon.
Nurse signed a three-year contract, which means that there are still two years remaining. While his decision making wasn’t perfect, he and his players looked great throughout the postseason. That leaves no reason to count him out for next year.
Chance at returning – 99 percent
Masai Ujiri
Ujiri was the architect of the 2019 championship roster. Since coming to the Raptors, they’ve steadily improved nearly every season. Now, seeking their own re-build, the Washington Wizards may be preparing to offer a staggeringly large deal to poach Ujiri, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. An offer that may pay up to $10 million per season and ownership stake in the team.
If the interest from Washington is that great, Ujiri would be foolish to turn down that many zeros. At minimum, he can use the offer to leverage the Raptors into a larger contract. MLSE would then have to decide whether Webster has learned enough under his mentor to take the reins himself, or if they would match the Wizard’s “Godfather” offer.
Chance at returning – 60 percent
Chris Boucher
This time last year, Boucher was waived by the Golden State Warriors. The 6’10” forward has come a long way since then. Playing for the Raptors 905, he won the NBA G League Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year awards. He was also named to the All-NBA G League First Team, the first ever player to accomplish this feat.
The Raptors were so impressed with Boucher’s progress that they upgraded his two-way deal by signing him to a standard NBA contract in February. He has a lightly guaranteed deal in place for next season at the minimum, making his return relatively likely.
Chance at returning – 90 percent
Malcolm Miller
At the same time that the Raptors provided Boucher with a full NBA contract, they were doing the same for his G League teammate, Malcolm Miller. He has a (non-guaranteed) year remaining on that deal, which would have the Raptors pay him $1,588,231 for the season.
Miller has demonstrated an ability to make long-range shots. In his 10 NBA games, he shot an excellent .479 from outside. Just like with Boucher, Miller will likely get a chance to return to the Raptors as a reserve. Should injuries strike, Miller would get an opportunity for greater minutes and to earn a more significant role.
Due to his contract value, Miller is a low-risk player with a high ceiling. He should start the year with the Raptors.
Chance at returning – 85 percent
Jordan Loyd
Jordan Loyd was one of the team’s two-way players, devoting time to both the big club and Raptors 905. He played 12 games for the Raptors this season and averaged 2.4 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in 4.6 minutes. As expected, his numbers in the G League are far better. In the 41 games he played there, he averaged 22.5 points, snatched 5.5 boards, and had 6.1 assists in 35.5 minutes. Those statistics show a lot of promise.
The Raptors may offer Loyd a minimum deal to bring him back. He’s a talent that could prove useful, but he may also have garnered attention from other teams thanks to his G League play.
Chance at returning – 25 percent
Jodie Meeks
Jodie Meeks joined on with the Raptors in time to be a part of their postseason. He was added to be a three-point specialist and give the Raptors another weapon off the bench. Unfortunately, it looked as though Nick Nurse lost confidence in Meeks as the team went deeper in the playoffs. His minutes were reduced and he was held out of most games, being relegated to just garbage time.
At age 32, Meeks may not be the best choice to add valuable minutes off the bench. Unless he provides leadership in the locker room that is unseen on the court, the Raptors should be able to find a player of equal or greater talent to invest in that could also add youthful energy to a team full of veterans.
Chance at returning next year: 20 percent
Eric Moreland
Eric Moreland served as a late addition to help the team depth at the center position. He first signed a 10-day contract in March and was then brought back to go to the playoffs with the Raptors. Moreland played at the end of the bench behind both Gasol and Ibaka and saw little floor time for the team. He was the third center, in case of emergency option.
That same spot will be filled by a player who the team can pick up cheaply. Moreland was on a minimum contract, and would likely sign a minimum if offered by the team once again.
The Raptors will surely be looking to upgrade at the position, but money will continue to be a large factor in who occupies the role next season.
Chance at returning next year: 15-percent
Patrick McCaw
Patrick McCaw missed a handful of games for personal reasons in the playoffs but did manage to play spot minutes in games where he was available. As another depth piece, who can give a different look to the team, he is an intriguing player.
McCaw was one of the only “end-of-the-bench” players who was given time to play in the Finals. Nurse trusts his defensive impact, but he will need to make improvements offensively if he wants to be a real rotation piece.
Provided the Raptors extend the qualifying figure of $1,818,486, McCaw will be a restricted free-agent this offseason. Unfortunately, Toronto does not have his full “bird rights” and might not be able to match another team’s full offer without using their exceptions or making moves. If anyone prioritizes McCaw for $3 million or more, he’s probably gone.
Chance at returning next year: 25-percent
Jeremy Lin
#LinSanity never swept Toronto. Jeremy Lin signed with the team after he was waived by the Atlanta Hawks. This allowed him to go to the postseason with the Raps. Unfortunately, after being a disappointment during the regular season, he did not get much of a shot to prove himself in the playoffs. For this reason, Lin’s time in the Six has probably expired.
Chance at returning next year: 10-percent
Fred VanVleet
Fred VanVleet was the Raptors biggest offseason free agent signing a year ago. The backup point guard decided to re-up in Toronto for two more years and it has worked out well for both parties. VanVleet was a major factor in both the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals and the Finals. He has shown that he can elevate his game when things matter most.
VanVleet is slated to play behind Lowry once again. His $9,456,163 price tag may tempt a team to inquire on his availability, especially if they believe that VanVleet is better suited to be a starter. He may also be coveted as a sixth man.
The Raptors will not want to let VanVleet go. He is someone that the team trusts off the bench who can lead the second unit and would not be easy to replace.
Chance at returning – 75-percent
Norman Powell
Norman Powell will be 26 next season and earn $10,116,576. He is another player who is heavily relied upon to put up points as a member of the bench unit. Powell does not become an unrestricted free agent until 2022.
Powell had his best statistical output in his career. He averaged 8.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and shot 40-percent from beyond the arc. He is a scoring option that the Raptors will need throughout the season if they hope to return to having the same level of success.
Unless he is coveted by another team who is willing to pay his salary and provide a quality return, Powell will be with the Raptors next year.
Chance at returning – 85 percent
Serge Ibaka
Serge Ibaka has been one of the Raptors most important players of the campaign. After playing power forward his entire career, he started the season sharing the center position with Jonas Valanciunas. Changing positions revitalized Ibaka’s game and helped him provide a huge bounce-back season.
Ibaka was a large contributor on and off the court. Even though he added rim protection and a jumper from the elbow that couldn’t miss, Ibaka’s biggest value may be as a friend to Leonard.
With all hands on deck to bring back their superstar, it would behoove Ujiri and Webster to surround Leonard with his friends. If that is all Ibaka did next season, it would be worth having him on the roster.
Ibaka is signed through next season at $23,271,605. That’s an extremely hefty contract for a 30-year old center who came off the bench in the playoffs. Trading his deal would be difficult, and negotiating a buyout is unlikely to benefit the team.
This combination makes it a strong likelihood that Ibaka is back for one more season.
Chance at returning – 80 percent
OG Anunoby
OG Anunoby had the unfortunate circumstance of needing an emergency appendectomy on the eve of the playoffs. It kept him out of the rotation for the entirety of the postseason. The timing is only made worse based on his excellent play in the Raptor’s 2018 run. Anunoby shone brightly in the playoffs a year ago and was expected to be an impactful defender off the bench this time around.
Despite being unavailable to play, Anunoby’s reputation and ability are still respected by the team. There were many rumours ahead of the 2019 campaign that he was a desired asset by other organizations. Anunoby, not being included in the trade that brought Leonard to Toronto, was considered as a huge win for the Raptors.
The London, England native still has two years remaining on his rookie contract and will not be a restricted free agent until 2021. This makes it very likely that the Raptors bring back Anunoby next year.
Chance at returning – 90-percent
Pascal Siakam
Pascal Siakam had a breakout season this year. He was often the second-best player on the team behind only Kawhi Leonard, and though he didn’t make the all-star game, he played at that level for the majority of the season.
He is a finalist for the 2019 Most Improved Player award. He’s up against De’Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings and D’Angelo Russell of the Brooklyn Nets.
Next season, Siakam will be 25 and earn $2,351,839, in the final deal of his rookie contract. This all points to a high likelihood that Spicy P is using his signature spin move next year as a member of the Raptors.
The only reason that Siakam wouldn’t come back is if the team loses out on Leonard and decides to enter into a rebuild. If that were to be the case, then Siakam would be the crown jewel of any deal. Bobby Webster and Masai Ujiri wouldn’t trade the power forward unless they were given a significant return that would help set the team up for future success.
Siakam is the future of the Raptors so don’t expect to see him going anywhere for a while.
Chance at returning – 98-percent
Danny Green
Danny Green is in a different situation that Siakam. Green is an unrestricted free agent. This means that he can choose his own fate. All signs point to him enjoying his time in Toronto. He made a point to try to immerse himself in the city’s culture. This suggests that he may be reaching out to the Raptors looking to return.
If Green does want to remain a part of the organization, contract negotiations will be difficult to navigate. He had a spectacular regular season, where he averaged 10.3 points, four rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. The most important statistic of his was the .455 shooting percentage from three-point land. Combined with his elite-level defence, Green could command a large sum on July 1st, once the free agent market officially opens.
If the number is very high, then Green will be employed elsewhere next season. The Raps are already deep into the luxury tax, so they might be cautious in what they will offer the sharpshooter. The possibility does exist that Green could be signed to a reasonable price. He struggled in the postseason and his stats dipped across the board.
Most likely, Green will get his money and it won’t be in Canadian dollars.
Chance at returning – 40-percent
Marc Gasol
The Raptors paid a steep price to acquire Marc Gasol. They had to give the Memphis Grizzlies Jonas Valanciunas, Delon Wright, CJ Miles and a 2024 second-round draft pick in order to bring the center to Toronto. He played a big part in their playoff success thanks to his ability to shut down opponents.
Gasol is not the same player he was when he was able to dominate a game. He will be 34 next season and a step slower than his younger days. As was seen during the playoffs, he still has the ability to shoot the three-ball and play above average defence. Gasol has the ability to defend the rim and even come out and meet his man on the perimeter.
The Big Burrito has a player option in his contract for next season. If he chooses to stay in Toronto, he will be paid $25,595,700. That’s more than any other team would offer. This means that if Gasol wanted to leave the Raptors, it would be a costly decision. For that reason alone, he should be expected to start next season with the Dinos.
Chance at returning – 80-percent
Kyle Lowry
Kyle Lowry is the longest-serving Raptor and has been the heart of the team since he arrived in Toronto, ahead of the 2012-13 season. All it took was Gary Forbes and a first-round draft pick to land the franchise all-time leader in three-point field goals.
The biggest determination on whether Lowry will be a Raptor going forward could be whether Leonard re-signs. If he does not, this could trigger a rebuild. If that were to come to fruition then no one on the roster is safe.
Lowry has one year left on his three-year deal. It will pay him $33,296,296 but carry a cap hit of $34,496,296. This is a lot of money for the thirty-three-year-old point guard, which would diminish the return if the team was looking to package him in a trade. Lowry does have a lot to offer and could be a difference maker for another organization.
Ideally, Lowry can team back up with his friend, Leonard and bring back the magic they had together on the floor this season.
Chance at returning – 78-percent
Kawhi Leonard
The move for Kawhi Leonard was a win for all parties involved. The Raptors found the best success they ever have, going on a magical run. Their title is mostly attributed to Leonard and his ability to completely dominate a game.
The man himself was treated like royalty both by the organization and the city. He was allowed to rest whenever possible and his medical needs were closely attended to. He was lauded as a hero and loved nationwide.
Leonard now needs to make a decision as to who will land his services. He established relationships and won a championship with Toronto. If that isn’t enough for him, he can also cash the biggest cheques by returning to the Raptors. They are able to offer him $190 million over five years ($38 million per year), while the rest of the league can only provide $141 million for four years ($35.25 million per year).
His other suitors are almost the entire league. With Kevin Durant‘s injury likely keeping him out for the entirety of the 2020 season, those who would have been pursuing KD may now shift their focus onto Leonard. That could mean that the New York Knicks put their best pitch forward.
Then there is the Los Angeles Clippers who have been making their intentions known throughout the entirety of the season. The Clippers were the most aggressive of any other team, doing everything short of outright confirming their attempted courting to let the superstar know that they were interested.
They sent representatives to be seen at a large bulk of Raptors games. After Game 1 of the Finals, their coach, Doc Rivers was fined $50,000 for tampering because he compared Leonard to Michael Jordan on ESPN television.
The Clippers best-selling feature is their geographical location. Back in January, Leonard bought a $13.3 million dollar mansion in San Diego. Los Angeles is less than a two-hour drive away, which is a convenience factor that Toronto cannot offer. The Raptors will also be up against the soft cap, while the Clippers have far more flexibility to build around the small forward.
Though Vegas has flopped back and forth between the Raptors and Clippers, we believe that the Raptors will ultimately land the superstar because Toronto happens to be his best option.
Chance at returning – 51-percent