Toronto Raptors: Two promising players could be cut to create more cap room in 2021-22 offseason

The Toronto Raptors appear to be headed for a transformative offseason. In addition to the trade of Norman Powell that likely locked in Gary Trent Jr. as a long-term piece, Kyle Lowry appears to be on his way out after nearly a decade north of the border. After seeing players like Paul Watson and DeAndre’ Bembry eat up tons of minutes, Masai Ujiri will assuredly do some tinkering.

The Raptors traded Powell with the intent of remaining financially flexible, as they could be one of select few teams that will have an abundance of cap space in the offseason. Even with an already bare roster, the Raptors will have to let some key contributors go.

While there is an expectation that Lowry and his massive contract could leave Toronto for a team better equipped to compete for a championship, the latest buzz is hinting at the possibility that Ujiri could blow up this entire roster in order to give himself as much wiggle-room as possible.

Per The Athletic’s Sam Amick (subscription required), the Raptors could get as much as $25 million under the cap if they allow Lowry to leave and scrub their books of the non-guaranteed deals of Aron Baynes and Rodney Hood. However, to hit that magic number of $25 million, Toronto will need to cut Watson and Bembry, who also have non-guaranteed contracts.

Toronto Raptors: Are Paul Watson and DeAndre Bembry about to leave?

Bembry, recently suspended for his role in the Lakers skirmish, has been averaging 5.3 points and 2.7 assists per game this season. While he has been one of the few Toronto reserves that has played somewhat well, he is struggling to really take that next step, and he could easily be jettisoned in the name of cap space.

Watson has shot 45% from 3-point range this season, and the former G League appears to be headed for a bigger role with Toronto in the future. Unfortunately, if the Raptors decide to part ways with him before the third day of the new league year, his contract will not be guaranteed.

At just 3.0 points per game, Watson’s scoring is not high enough for Toronto to assuredly keep him.

The Raptors could take some swings at a few big fish this offseason. If they need to rid themselves of an underperformer in Baynes, two bench players in Bembry and Watson, and the oft-injured Hood to do so, that is a risk the front office feels comfortable making.

Watson has risen from a G League standout to a serviceable player at the end of the bench, and Bembry is having his most efficient season in the pros after struggling out of the gate in Atlanta. However, those two aren’t going to move the needle in the tough Atlantic Division, and they might need to be jettisoned in order to add some quality depth.