Which marginal players will the Toronto Raptors bring back next season?
Patrick McCaw
Patrick McCaw signed with the Toronto Raptors last season after a bizarre dilemma with the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers caused him to become an unrestricted free-agent.
After winning a title his first two years with the Warriors, McCaw found himself as an NBA Champion once again. Now, he’s looking to get paid.
McCaw will enter this summer as a restricted free agent, meaning the Raptors can match any offer he receives, as long as they can make it work financially. Without full bird rights or even early-bird rights, if McCaw were to receive anything greater than a minimum contract, the Raptors would likely be required to use part of their mid-level exception if they wanted to bring him back.
More important than the Raptors exception is their potential tax-bill. If Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green return, Toronto is projected to pay an astronomical amount in luxury tax-costs.
At that point, any $1 they spend, could result in more than $5 in luxury payments. To pay McCaw $3 million per year, it would cost $15 million. Paying that much for a player who won’t be a significant part of your rotation isn’t smart cap management.
If Kawhi and Danny both leave, Toronto should have enough room under the tax to operate. Patrick McCaw is a young player with decent upside. If he’s able to develop even a semi-respectable jump shot, he could become a 7th/8th man on a real playoff team.
If Green and Leonard both leave, the Raptors will likely match any deal which they deem reasonable. However, with plenty of money available and wings in high-demand, it’s very possible McCaw will receive an unreasonable offer.
If you believe Kawhi is staying, McCaw is gone. If you think Kawhi is leaving, McCaw’s chances are about 50/50.