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Toronto Raptors: 3 offseason moves that make Toronto competitive

By Jason Mills

TORONTO, ON - MAY 12: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates with teammates after sinking a buzzer beater to win Game Seven of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at Scotiabank Arena on May 12, 2019 in Toronto, 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. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 12: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates with teammates after sinking a buzzer beater to win Game Seven of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at Scotiabank Arena on May 12, 2019 in Toronto, 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. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Andrew Wiggins, Raptors
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 06: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Raptors offseason move No. 1: Acquire Canadian stud Andrew Wiggins

Going into the 2021 off-season, the Raptors will be committed to over $102 million against the cap, with Kyle Lowry coming off the books and assuming Norman Powell opts into the final year of his contract.

The belief is that there will be a slight salary cap increase from the current $109 million this season to $112 million next. COVID-19 is causing revenue losses for the second consecutive season, so it’s hard to say for sure what will happen with the cap.

The Raptors should pursue trading for 26-year-old Canadian Andrew Wiggins. He has been disappointing since last season after improving every year since he was drafted in 2014 first overall by Cleveland. He is averaging just 17.2 points per game this season for Golden State, while at his best in Minnesota, he was averaging 22.4 points per game in 2019/20. Even this season started poorly for Wiggins when he started 1/8  and was 2/10 by halftime on opening night.

Could Andrew Wiggins become a star with the Raptors?

A deal including Wiggins and a second-round draft pick with Toronto for Pascal Siakam would allow Toronto to save $2 million between Siakam’s $33.6 million next season and Wiggins’ $31.5 million. Wiggins would also only be under contract for two seasons ending in 2022/23, making his contract manageable.

Wiggins would also present the Raptors a risky way to move on from Siakam, who seems to have maxed out his talent and has not been the same player since the Florida bubble last August. However, Wiggins seems to have maxed out his talent also, and maybe both players could use a change of scenery.

Further, Wiggins is Canadian, and hopefully, in 2021/22, the Raptors will be playing out of the Scotia Bank Arena in Toronto again. Wiggins would be the central marketing feature of the team as well as a star NBA player.

It is a move that should be considered seriously worth pursuing as the Raptors historically do not do well signing free agents. Most American players feel it is a culture shock playing in Canada. Taking former Raptor Lou Williams at his word without dissing Toronto.

The acquisition of a naturalized citizen of Canada who happens to be an outstanding player by trade should be a priority. Hopefully, with Klay Thompson ready to return to the Warriors in the 2021/22 season and rookie James Wiseman a year wiser on the court, the Warriors may not need Wiggins.

While Wiggins scoring per game is lower than Siakam right now, he is a player who scores well in the mid-range and is versatile defensively. This deal is also with the hope or expectation based on Powell opting in of his final year of his contract meaning Toronto’s cap commitment drops to about $89 million.