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:
Number 10
Kawhi Leonard
The Toronto Raptors Championship winning superstar, Kawhi Leonard, is on this list in a peculiar position. The forward, who was once the talk of having a statue erected of him in Toronto, drops to the bottom of the top 10. Despite the history with the Raps and their dedicated pursuit of re-signing him in the summer of 2019, he truly isn’t a likely candidate to take back his throne as the King of the North.
Leonard has a player option for next year, which barring injury, he will likely decline in the hunt for a bigger payday. This should automatically make him the most valuable free agent in the 2021 class now that Antetokounmpo is staying in Milwaukee.
Just because Leonard turns down his player option, doesn’t mean he has to depart the Los Angeles Clippers. In fact, he is almost certain to re-sign with the team that swiped him away from the Raptors.
It was reported that Leonard was consulted by Paul George before George signed a four-year $190 million extension with the Clips. This suggests that Leonard tipped his hand and shared his future plans with his teammate. Those plans include the California sun and not Toronto winters. It’s probably not even worth Webster’s and Ujiri’s time to once again attempt to woo Leonard.
While a return to the place where he earned his most recent ring would be incredible for the franchise and its fans, it’s pretty clear that at this point, the Klaw has made up his mind over his geographic priorities. Sadly, it means he’s not going to be wearing a dino on his chest in the near future.
Number 9
Dennis Schröder
Dennis Schröder changed teams this offseason after having a great year in the association. He was the target of trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. LeBron James got a teammate who finished second in NBA Sixth Man Award voting last season in exchange for Danny Green and the draft rights to Jaden McDaniels.
Schröder edges out a player like LaMarcus Aldridge who, just like Millsap, is 35 years old. Although Aldridge has been able to sustain his play at a very high level, if he doesn’t retire, his most likely future destination is remaining with the San Antonio Spurs.
Schröder will play this season being paid $17.5 million and then will likely look for a long term deal. The 27-year-old had a remarkable season last year with the Thunder. In 65 games he averaged 18.9 points, 4.0 assists, and 3.6 rebounds. He also recorded the most points for any player off the bench last season.
With Schröder’s ability to score and inject life into the team’s defense, he will be a sought after player come free agency. It would not be surprising to learn that the Raptors try and make a pitch to his representatives and attempt to lure the guard to Toronto.
Number 8
Andre Drummond
Andre Drummond is the type of Center that would fit perfectly into a Nick Nurse system. He is a defensive player who could clean the glass and score. At 27 years of age, the former All-Star would be an excellent addition to the team.
It was reported that he and the Cleveland Cavaliers tried to work out a contract extension but the two sides weren’t able to settle on a number. Drummond wanted the Cavs to open their wallets and they weren’t prepared to meet his requests. The team may now be looking at using the big man as a trade piece ahead of the 2020-21 trade deadline.
Drummond would also be a good fit for the Toronto Raptors because he will likely be earning a smaller paycheck than he currently receives. This could allow the team to continue on their shopping spree and try and pick up another star to join the organization.
Number 7
Mike Conley
It was once believed that the Raptors were trying to flip Kyle Lowry and Jonas Valanciunus to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. It’s a trade that the Grizzlies apparently turned down. This attempted swing demonstrates that there is an appreciation by the organization for what Conley brings to the court.
The point guard is set to be an unrestricted free agent at the same time as Lowry. If the Toronto Raptors don’t re-sign their franchise leader, then Conley would be an excellent replacement. In doing so, the team could maintain a similar floor style that it has with Lowry and Fred VanVleet. In essence, it would exchange one veteran point guard for another. Conley happens to be one year younger than 34-year-old Lowry.
Number 6
Spencer Dinwiddie
Spencer Dinwiddie has a player option in his contract with the Brooklyn Nets. This talented point guard is likely to decline that option and hit the open market. It’s his chance to cash in and pick up a bigger deal. Dinwiddie would be turning down $11,454,048, which means he’ll be looking for something more than that. He’s sure to get it.
Last season, Dinwiddie averaged 20.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 6.8 assists. He was a go-to player for the Nets with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant on the shelf. Those injuries allowed Dinwiddie to shine. Even if he plays a smaller role with the return of those players, teams know what they will get from the 27-year-old.
If the Toronto Raptors choose to move on from Lowry, a tandem of VanVleet and Dinwiddie would ensure that the team’s backcourt remains strong. It would certainly be an interesting acquisition for the team.
Number 5
Jrue Holiday
Jrue Holiday is another player who has a player option at the end of his contract. That could mean that he opts into his $26.361 million season with the Bucks or he may chase something even larger. If Holiday has a big season playing on the same court as Antetokounmpo, he could be looking at pushing that figure north. It’s impressive, as he’d be turning down the final year of his five years $126 million contracts given to him by the New Orleans Pelicans.
At age 30, the veteran guard has been named a two-time All-Defensive Player and an All-Star. He’s also able to put up numbers on the offensive end. Last season, in 61 games, Holiday drained 19.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 6.7 assists.
Holiday is sure to make the Bucks a better team. If the Raptors were to pursue him, he could play alongside VanVleet and the pair could interchange in their positions having both played extensively in the one and two positions. It would be a strong addition but it would also possibly mean that the Toronto Raptors would have to overpay to make it happen.
Number 4
DeMar DeRozan
It’s unclear whether DeMar DeRozan has ever truly forgiven Ujiri for trading him to the Spurs after promising him he wouldn’t be moved. If the two are able to find a mutual understanding of the business side of the decision, reuniting the pair could be great for the franchise.
DeRozan is still an excellent player and has made himself a part of the fabric that is the Raptors. The swingman played nine seasons for the Raps and in that time put himself at or near the top of every statistical category of the organization. He has even played more games and scored more points than any other Raptors player in history.
Playing in San Antonio, coach Gregg Popovich allowed DeRozan to ignore his critics and take the shot he felt most comfortable with, the mid-range two-ball. This allowed him to post his highest field-goal percentage of his career, 0.531.
Now 31 years old, DeRozan will be able to choose his own path. There were rumours when he was last a free agent that he’d want to return home and play in Los Angeles. With the way the two teams are constructed in that city, he’d have to take a giant pay cut in order to fit onto one of those rosters. With that not likely to happen, there is a path toward a reunion with the Raptors.
Number 3
Kyle Lowry
The heart of the franchise and perhaps its best all-time player will be a part of the upcoming free-agent crop. He will be an unrestricted player at age 35.
It’s hard to imagine Lowry suiting up for any other team at this point in his career. The six-time All-Star is all over the Raptors record books. He has played the second-most games behind only DeRozan and has the third most points behind DeRozan and Chris Bosh. Lowry leads many team statistical categories such as assists, steals, and three-point field goals. He even has the most triple-doubles as a member of the Raptors.
Lowry is beloved by the city, its fans, and his teammates. His passion on the court cannot be matched. He doesn’t take a possession off and fights tirelessly to win every game. He’s also shown his courage and heart as he puts his body on the line to try and draw fouls and do whatever he can to win a ballgame.
There’s no doubt that at his age, Lowry has and will continue to slow down. There’s no reason to believe that it means there’s any less fight in this man. If he wants to remain in Toronto, he should be given that opportunity. That doesn’t necessarily mean he’d hold the same role fans are used to watching number seven play. It could mean that Lowry returns to add hustle and grit as a part of an uptempo bench unit.
The question will be whether Lowry wants to remain with the franchise. He has nothing left to prove and may just want to return home to play in front of his friends and family in Philadelphia. His veteran leadership makes him an additional coach to any squad he joins. It’s just one more reason that the point guard is such a valuable player.
Hopefully, the two parties find some kind of mutual agreement and Lowry remains in Toronto until the day he retires. At that time, he could then transition into the team’s front office and get a desk with a corner window view.
Number 2
Victor Oladipo
There is an extremely talented player who will become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of this coming season. Victor Oladipo is sure to be on almost every NBA team’s wish list.
At times, people forget just how good Oladipo can be. Limited by injuries, he has not had the chance to completely fulfill his potential. Let’s not forget that the reason he’s currently on the Indiana Pacers is because he was traded by the Oklahoma City Thunder with Domantas Sabonis for Paul George.
Drafted second overall in 2013, the guard has struggled to stay on the court over his past two seasons. In the condensed 2019-20 season, he played just 19 games for the Pacers. Averaging 27.8 minutes, the lowest in his career, he registered 14.5 points, 3.9 assists, and 2.9 assists per game.
The Pacers are in a tough position. Ideally, they would have found a way to extend their star player but failing to do so, they’ll probably look to trade Oladipo at the trade deadline. Moving him now would mean that the team is trading him when his value is diminished. If he can prove that he is able to return to form and isn’t bothered by past injuries, the Pacers will probably look to gain some type of return for the 28-year-old.
The Raptors don’t need to trade for Oladipo but can sit patiently on the sideline and wait until he becomes an unrestricted free agent. If the money is right, there’s a chance that Toronto could land the two-time All-Star.
Number 1
Rudy Gobert
The top target for the Raptors should be The French Rejection, Rudy Gobert. He is an impact player for the Utah Jazz that is currently eligible for a supermax contract. It’s a deal, he’ll likely not be receiving. The deadline for this contract is coming fast, Dec. 21.
Assuming that the Jazz don’t do something unexpected and break the bank for Gobert, he could still sign with the team for four instead of five years. That contract can be worth up to $130 million.
If Gobert wants to move on from playing in Utah, his time will come shortly. If he doesn’t sign an extension, he will be an unrestricted free agent and one of the prizes of the free-agency pool. The Raptors would love to be the ones to pluck him from that pool and introduce him to a new home.
The seven-foot-1 center would be an instant favourite in Toronto. He would fit into Nurse’s defense-first system and thrive under the coach. He may even enjoy playing in a country with one of its official languages being French.
Gobert has had an exceptional career. He has been named to an All-Star team and three All-NBA teams. He is a former block champion, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and has been named to four All-Defensive teams. He is a clear difference-maker on the court.
The Toronto Raptors are going to have some very big decisions at season’s end. Hopefully, some of the targets they want are still available when they try to pick them up. More importantly, Ujiri and Webster must be hoping that they have done enough to show the NBA that Toronto is a desirable destination with a first-class organization.
They have a winning culture and it would be a fantastic place to go and try and win a title.