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Toronto Raptors: Examining Toronto’s buyout market options

By Jeff Borsuk

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 6: President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri and General Manager Bobby Webster of the Toronto Raptors speak to ESPN writer Zach Lowe during practice as part of the 2019 NBA Finals on June 6, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 6: President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri and General Manager Bobby Webster of the Toronto Raptors speak to ESPN writer Zach Lowe during practice as part of the 2019 NBA Finals on June 6, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors potential target – Tristan Thompson (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Tristan Thompson

If the Raptors are concerned about their rebounding then the player they’d love most is Tristan Thompson. This would also be the opportunity to bring the hometown boy back to Toronto and add to the number of Canadians already on the team.

Thompson is averaging 10.4 rebounds per game this season, along with 11.9 points. In case it wasn’t obvious, he is averaging a double-double on the year, making him a valuable piece for any contender looking to shore up its front lines.

Though it appears as though the Cavs want him to finish the season in Cleveland, Thompson is in the perfect position for a buyout. He is on the final year of a five-year, $82 million contract. This season, he is being paid $18,539,130. With the Cavs sitting dead last in the Eastern Conference, they don’t have a need for paying the remainder of that enormous price tag and would benefit from negotiating to get out from under some of it. Also, with Cleveland getting Andre Drummond at the trade deadline and already having Kevin Love on its roster, it makes Thompson redundant on the team. The Cavs are now unnecessarily stacked at the center position, which may lead them to surprise the league and follow through on a buyout.

Thompson has set a lofty goal for himself this season. He wanted to be tasked with the toughest assignments in Cleveland and earn his way to being recognized with an all-defensive honour.

Back in October, Thompson spoke to reporters about his goals for the 2019-20 season:

"“For me this year, it’s taking that challenge. I want to guard the best wings and bigs on every team. I want to make their night tough, to gain that respect defensively around the league. Goal of mine is to make first team All-Defense. The way you do that is guarding the best players. It starts with the MVP of the league.”"

This sort of motivation would play well on the Raps. It’s still unclear at this time whether the Cavs will part ways with Thompson, but if they do, he’d be adopted very quickly as a fan favourite in Toronto.

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