Giannis Antetokounmpo is off the board, which means the Toronto Raptors will be shopping come NBA free agency in 2021. We explore the top 10 unrestricted free agents.
The Toronto Raptors were devastated to learn that their plans for the 2021 offseason were dashed when Giannis Antetokounmpo signed a five-year supermax contract worth $228.2 million to remain a part of the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Raptors were clearly making decisions to construct their current roster in hopes of making a splash in next year’s free agency. It’s believed that that meant bringing Antetokounmpo to Toronto, which seemed like a realistic proposition based on his relationship with Masai Ujiri. It’s hard to blame the superstar for signing the extension that has given him the biggest contract in NBA history.
As unfortunate as it is that the Toronto Raptors didn’t get their man, it’s probably even more frustrating for GM Bobby Webster who designed contracts to provide the team cap space to go shopping next offseason. It’s why Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka weren’t offered multi-year deals to return.
With the cap space that the organization has created for next year, they will need to remain focused on filling their shopping list. We break down the top ten unrestricted free agents for the Raptors to acquire once the 2021 free agency window opens.
In order to keep the surprises to a minimum, let’s first get out of the way that Blake Griffin will not be on the list. Though he is a player the Toronto Raptors would like to have to play in their starting five, he has a player option that will certainly not be waved. He is certain to play the final year of his deal that will pay him $34,234,964. The same is true about Chris Paul who will earn $39,932,648 if he doesn’t opt-out and with that much money due to him, it would be shocking for him to pass on it.
Another player that wasn’t even considered for the top 10 is Paul Millsap. There has been a great deal of buzz around the potential for the 35-year-old power forward retiring. Still a presence in the NBA, Millsap isn’t the same player he once was.
While you may not find them in the top 10, the group remains strong. Here is the complete list: