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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
Toronto Raptors – Pascal Siakam (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Who should the Raptors re-sign?

Pascal Siakam is eligible to sign a contract extension this summer. Ben Simmons and Jamal Murray recently inked five-year, $170 million contracts. Siakam is likely expecting to be taken care of the same way when the time comes.

Fred VanVleet will also be up for a new contract. He doesn’t have the potential of someone like Siakam. But VanVleet has proved himself to be a steady floor general with a reliable three-point shot (39.4 percent for his career).

The Raptors may want to consider signing VanVleet to a front-loaded contract. A three-year, $45.5 million contract might do the trick. With annual decreases of 8 percent, the Raptors can take advantage of an abundance of cap space next summer, while preserving space for the future.

Toronto currently has three players under contract beyond the 2020-21 season. That list includes Norman Powell (player option), Dewan Hernandez (non-guaranteed) and Matt Thomas (non-guaranteed). After factoring in new contracts for Siakam and VanVleet, as well as Anunoby’s cap hold, the team would have about $73.6 million committed to six players.

The Raptors will also look to add to their collection of young players during the next two drafts. Assuming Ujiri decides to flip one of his veterans for future assets, the Raptors could end up with two picks in the 2020 draft.

Teams are unlikely to give up anything more than a lottery-protected first-round pick for any one of Lowry, Ibaka or Gasol. Even with one of the three gone, the Raptors still figure to be in the mix for a playoff spot. The Raptors ending up with the 17th and 22nd overall selections seems reasonable.

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