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Are we sure 2021 cap space is the way to build the Toronto Raptors?

By Andrew Hughes

TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 22: President Masai Ujiri, and Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors pose for a photo with their Championship Ring after the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on October 22, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 22: President Masai Ujiri, and Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors pose for a photo with their Championship Ring after the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on October 22, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors – Masai Ujiri (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

So, after all of that, should the Toronto Raptors be planning for a big, summer splash in 2021 or should they rethink their strategy?

In a perfect, Masai-Ujiri-and-Bobby-Webster way, the Toronto Raptors have set themselves up perfectly for either (a) building this roster from its current iteration and chasing after mid-level free agents or (b) going after Giannis in 2021.

Here’s why:

  • If the Toronto Raptors reach the NBA Finals again this season then Giannis is probably OFF the table, especially if they beat the Bucks again on the way there
    • This would show just how dangerous the current roster is and how messing with that chemistry could implode the team
    • Giannis does not seem like he’d pull a Kevin Durant and join the better team. That’s not a slight at Durant, but more like “We’ve already seen how this story ends” because Durant never felt totally one with that team. I’m guessing that would be a big influence on Giannis’s decision to stick it out with the Bucks or choose a team to challenge the Raptors.
  • If the Raptors don’t make it to the Finals and the Bucks do, then we have to remember that Giannis can sign a supermax extension this summer with the Milwaukee Bucks when free agency opens
    • Making the NBA Finals seems like a good indication that Giannis will keep the Bucks train rolling because they’ve shown just how close to the top they can get on their own
    • If he does sign a deal, the Toronto Raptors can consider him off the table and sign their own free agents to big deals that help them stay or retool with other smaller deals
    • If he doesn’t, the Toronto Raptors can then negotiate with Gasol, Ibaka, and VanVleet to team-friendly deals
  • If the Toronto Raptors completely flameout in the playoffs then they have the ability to let a lot of money walk away, chase free agents if they desire, and rebuild through the draft
  • Lastly, if the Toronto Raptors AND the Milwaukee Bucks both somehow flameout in the playoffs, then, oh boy, it is SO on.
    • Giannis probably wouldn’t sign an extension with the Bucks in the summer until they proved they were trying to win at all costs
    • The Toronto Raptors could orchestrate deals without a lot of future costs and woo Giannis all year long

Giannis isn’t the only available free agent in the 2021 summer, but he does seem like the most likely to land in Toronto. The other names — LeBron James, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard (all with player options) — aren’t the type to sign with Toronto. It takes a weird, unique star to want to play in Toronto and, honestly, being an international player should be a factor with Toronto being the only international NBA team. So, while Giannis seems to be the only superstar on Toronto’s mind, it’s increasingly likely that he should be the only superstar on Toronto’s mind.

There’s a lot at stake with the upcoming playoffs and more than just a shot at the title. With the swagger that the Raptors are currently exuding, it does seem like anything is possible despite the Bucks being favored to come out of the Eastern Conference.

Still, how it all plays out will certainly change the landscape of the NBA and provide more “what-ifs” to argue for years to come. As for the Toronto Raptors, they are perfectly positioned to take advantage of any outcome. And that is why we all unite under Ujiri and Webster, two men who are bold with their maneuvers and value quality and winning over everything else.

dark. Next. Are injuries the reason for the Raptors' recent skid?

In short, cap space in 2021 might not be the way to build the Toronto Raptors of the future. But with the way the team is constructed, let’s not pretend that all of the eggs are just in that basket.

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