The Toronto Raptors are now eliminated from the 2020 NBA playoffs and all eyes are now shifting to the off-season with this team.
With the Toronto Raptors being eliminated by the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals in seven games, all eyes are now shifting to the off-season.
There are a lot of questions heading into the off-season for the Toronto Raptors with multiple contracts that are expiring and who will fill what hole on the team.
I’m going to go over three priorities for the Toronto Raptors this off-season that they need to make heading into the 2020-21 NBA season.
3. Replace Marc Gasol
2019-20 stats – 44 GP – 7.5 PPG – 6.3 RPG – 3.3. APG – .427 FG% – .385 3P% – .735 FT%
Career stats – 839 GP – 14.6 PPG – 7.6 RPG – 3.4 APG – .481 FG% – .354 3P% – .777 FT%
At my number three spot to start this list off of three priorities for the Toronto Raptors this off-season, I have replacing Marc Gasol and bringing in someone else that can take on his role for next season and beyond. It’s no secret now that Gasol isn’t the same Gasol from years past that was very dominant in his position and one of the best defensive big men in the league. However, at the current age of 35 years old, he’s definitely slowed down in his production a lot.
It’s probably more likely the Raptors move on from Gasol and decide to re-sign Ibaka instead because they can’t afford to lose both their bigs unless they’re going to sign a big man who can take a heavy load of minutes in free agency. Boucher and Hernandez cannot take that role just yet as they are still developing as players, however, if they re-sign Ibaka they can target a big man in free agency that can replace Gasol’s minutes and become a starter on the team.
Some big men that are set to hit free agency this off-season are Hassan Whiteside, Tristan Thompson, Andre Drummond (player option) Meyers Leonard, and even some power forwards that could possibly play the five on Toronto like Montrezl Harrell, Marcus Morris Sr. etc. There are a handful of players the Toronto Raptors could potentially go after to replace Gasol this off-season and it wouldn’t surprise me if they do indeed go after one to replace him, because after all I don’t see them extending a soon to be 36 years old by seasons start to another contract. (Stats from ESPN.com)