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Toronto Raptors: Kawhi Leonard’s request could help the Raptors

By Jason Mills

TORONTO, CANADA - DECEMBER 11: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers receives his Championship Ring before the game against the Toronto Raptors on December 11, 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 Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - DECEMBER 11: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers receives his Championship Ring before the game against the Toronto Raptors on December 11, 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 Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Financial Flexibility

Toronto Raptors, Kyle Lowry
Fred VanVleet, Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /

There are several major contractual decisions the Toronto Raptors need to resolve this off-season. There is the Fred VanVleet situation, free agents Serge Ibaka, and Marc Gasol. Before starting the new season, the Toronto Raptors will also need to decide whether to extend the rookie contract of OG Anunoby.

While Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka combined to make over 49 million in 2020, Marc Gasol is expected to return to Europe. The hope is that Serge Ibaka returns as Toronto’s starting center, but the concern is at what price.

If a deal of Kyle Lowry (30 million dollar salary) were worked out bringing back Marcus Morris and Montrezl Harrell combined for about 25-30 million (Morris made 15 million and Harrell six million in 2020), it is a deal that could save the Raptors a few million on the salary cap. Those savings could then be invested into either a contract for Fred VanVleet or Serge Ibaka.

It would be prudent if the Toronto Raptors backloaded a deal for VanVleet with him receiving a three-year deal worth about 66 million and receiving an annual salary in 2020/21, amounting to a cap hit of 15 million. A two-year deal for Serge Ibaka at 25 million annually would be an increase to his 2020 salary.

Including the proposed Kyle Lowry trade to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Raptors would spend 65 million to replace 88 million in expiring or traded contracts. A wild card in all of this is what the actual salary cap level will be in 2021.

In 2020, the NBA salary cap was at 109 million; however, 2020 has been a horrible year financially for sports leagues due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Toronto Raptors will need to get creative to restock their roster for the coming season.

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