Toronto Raptors: 3 players who are not returning next season
By Jason Mills
The NBA trade deadline has passed, and the Toronto Raptors were sellers. They parted ways with one of their most dominant scorers in Norman Powell, sending him to Portland for Gary Trent Jr. and Rodney Hood. The Raptors also shed bench players in Terence Davis and Matt Thomas.
The final year and a half of sharpshooter Matt Thomas’ three-year contract was dealt for a second-round draft pick from Utah. Davis, who is on an expiring contract, was dealt to Sacramento for a second-round pick.
The Raptors, who had too many underperforming guards/wingmen, deleted three while bringing back two. With the ten-day contract for Henry Ellenson not extended, the Raptors have two open roster spots.
Forward Gorgui Dieng at 6-10 was cut loose by the Memphis Grizzlies on March 26th and could’ve been claimed by the Raptors if the Spurs didn’t get to him first. Marquese Chriss was also expected to be waived by the Spurs. Be it over the next few days or during the offseason, this roster is undergoing a major facelift.
The Toronto Raptors will remake the roster very soon
The trade deadline deals do not make the Raptors a better team. Trent is a good defender and an improving talent, but he may be a year away from becoming what Powell was for the Raptors. It appears management’s goal was to ensure maximum cap space as Powell was sure to opt-out of his contract’s final year.
The Raptors will need to make a strong push in the final 25 games of the season to secure a playoff spot, but they are trying to do it with a roster littered with projects. Whether they make an eighth consecutive playoff appearance or not, here’s a look at three players who will not be a Raptor next season as Masai Ujiri looks to turn the page.