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You play GM: Decide the fate of the Toronto Raptors offseason

By Mike Bossetti

Toronto Raptors - Masai Ujiri (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)
Toronto Raptors - Masai Ujiri (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors – Kyle Lowry (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Phoenix’s offer

You’re truly a heartless individual for trading Kyle Lowry to Robert Sarver and the Phoenix Suns. But hey, it was pretty heartless for Masai Ujiri to trade DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard, and that worked out pretty well.

Now, with Kyle Lowry and Marc Gasol both off the roster, you only have one name left to move – Serge Ibaka.

Unfortunately, at this time, Ibaka doesn’t have much value around the league. He’s on the wrong side of the aging curve, making a sizeable salary, and is a backup center. There are possible options if the free-agent market shakes a certain way, but with options like Robin Lopez, Dewayne Dedmon, and others available for much cheaper, it’s hard to imagine Ibaka commanding much of a market.

Perhaps if there is an injury later in the season, he could help a contender. But at the moment, it’s hard to construct a deal. We’ll move forward with him on the team.

As of now, your roster looks like this:

  • Point Guard: Fred VanVleet, Tyler Johnson
  • Shooting Guard: Norman Powell
  • Small Forward: OG Anunoby, Malcolm Miller
  • Power forward: Pascal Siakam, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Chris Boucher
  • Center: Serge Ibaka, Bismack Biyombo, Dewan Hernandez

The Kyle Lowry trade saved Toronto approximately $20 million dollars. Because of that, they’re now under the cap by approximately $13 million. Depending on who they target, they could find a solid piece for $13 mil.

But remember this team is set on making moves in 2020. Rather than spending it on a free-agent target, they should try to take back some salary in order to accumulate draft assets. Of course, they can only take on players with one-year deals.

The Raptors can take on money from either the Oklahoma City Thunder or the Miami Heat, both of which are trying to duck the tax. For now, let’s assume the Raptors take back Andre Roberson’s contract, for the price of two second-rounders.

Now, you can fill your roster out with minimum contracts. Any minimums will likely be young-ish players with a higher ceiling than most, even if their floor is lower.

Now, after everything is said and done:

Your final roster looks like:

  • Point Guard: Fred VanVleet, Tyler Johnson, Trey Burke
  • Shooting Guard: Norman Powell, Andre Roberson
  • Small Forward: OG Anunoby, Malcolm Miller, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot
  • Power forward: Pascal Siakam, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Chris Boucher
  • Center: Serge Ibaka, Bismack Biyombo, Dewan Hernandez

However, you also added a Charlotte first-round pick, Phoenix 2021 1st round pick, and two second-rounders. Toronto is ready to dip into the lottery for one season and be ready to compete once again in 2021.

Not happy with the results? Feel free to start back over.