Toronto Raptors: Ranking Team Assets Prior to the 2019 NBA Offseason

Key Rotation Pieces: Assets 7 and 6

7. 2020 First Round Pick

Ultimately, the reason this asset seems more valuable than Serge Ibaka is based on the uncertainty surrounding the Toronto Raptors now that we are in the offseason. Largely hinging on whether or not Kawhi Leonard re-signs in Toronto, a pick that would be a late first-rounder given Toronto’s current level of success could become a much more favorable asset if Leonard were to leave the Raptors this July.

Let’s make one thing clear. Yes, the Toronto Raptors play in the Eastern Conference. Yes, the Raptors do indeed have other very talented players – both veterans and young players – outside of Kawhi Leonard. If he leaves for Los Angeles or wherever else this offseason, Toronto will not become a bottom-of-the-barrel team but they will likely still regress compared to this past season.

For that reason, the 2020 first-round pick belonging to the Toronto Raptors takes the seventh spot on this list due to its potential value if Kawhi leaves this team. This pick could quite easily become a mid-first round pick in next year’s draft depending on Leonard’s decision. If that happens, the trade value of this pick will increase, and this pick will become one of Toronto’s stronger assets this offseason.

6. Fred VanVleet

Fred VanVleet has not been the most consistent basketball player during his time in the NBA. With that said, at particular moments during this postseason, VanVleet has shown to be a player that can add good value to any team on the basketball court.

Unfortunately, however, VanVleet’s miniature six-foot, 195lb frame really may limit his value as an NBA player unless he finds a way to significantly improve his three-point shooting or strength (as a means of improving his ability to get to the basket).

With all that said, VanVleet’s numbers are nothing overly astonishing but his raw production has largely increased over his time in the league — from just under three points per game in 2016-17 to 11 points and nearly five assists per contest this past regular season.

Accordingly, his also comparatively-minuscule contract (one year remaining at 9 million dollars) makes him a potentially valuable asset for a team in need of a back-up point guard next season and still a better asset than a 2020 first-round pick (above) due to the uncertainty surrounding the pick’s value hinging on Kawhi’s free agency decision.

At the end of the day, Fred (Sr.) might not be a definitively better NBA player than Serge Ibaka at this moment but ultimately, his significantly smaller salary makes him a better trade asset for the Toronto Raptors this offseason — which earns him the sixth spot on this list.