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Toronto Raptors: The pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo and what the roster could look like in 2021

By Mark Birdsell

SANTA MONICA, CA - JUNE 24: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks peaks with the media during a press conference after the 2019 NBA Awards Show at the Barker Hangar on June 24, 2019 in Santa Monica, California. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Will Navarro/NBAE via Getty Images)
SANTA MONICA, CA - JUNE 24: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks peaks with the media during a press conference after the 2019 NBA Awards Show at the Barker Hangar on June 24, 2019 in Santa Monica, California. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Will Navarro/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors – C.J. Miles and Washington Wizards – Bradley Beal (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Future free agents

The 2020 free-agent class is lacking in star talent. But 2021 could be the deepest of all time. The list of potential free agents includes LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Victor Oladipo, Bradley Beal, Rudy Gobert, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Ujiri has been an admirer of Antetokounmpo since day one. The Raptors did not have a first-round pick in the 2013 draft. It had been sent to the Houston Rockets as part of the package for Lowry. As a result, Ujiri was working the phones to try to acquire a pick in order to select the Greek Freak.

There was a potential deal in place with Oklahoma City, but once Steven Adams slipped to the Thunder, the trade was off. The Milwaukee Bucks took Antetokounmpo at 15 and he has turned himself in the MVP.

The Bucks, as currently constructed, look like a title contender. They along with the Philadelphia 76ers will enter the season as the favorites to come out of the East. But the NBA is now a league of short contracts and player empowerment. The Bucks will not have a lot of time to convince Antetokounmpo that he should stay in Brew Town forever.

The Bucks signed Khris Middleton, Eric Bledsoe and Brook Lopez to long-term contract extensions. If they fail to win a championship over the next two seasons or at least make the NBA Finals, Antetokounmpo’s eyes might start to wander.

If Antetokounmpo were to sign a new contract, the Bucks would have almost no financial flexibility moving forward. Would Giannis really want to commit to an aging core that simply isn’t good enough to win it all?

This brings us back to the Raptors. Ujiri has done an excellent job throughout his career of identifying undervalued players. He has already started laying the foundation for the future. The Raptors could spend the next two seasons being a good-but-not-great team. A team that is just one move away from being a legitimate contender.

Sound familiar?

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