3 Raptors who may earn a new 2022 contract with good second half

The Toronto Raptors might be focused on securing a playoff spot this season, but that doesn’t mean Masai Ujiri and the front office aren’t taking a very close look at which members of this team should be retained for next year. Toronto’s youth movement has prompted several questions about the future of this team.

While Toronto will inevitably retool to some degree throughout the offseason, they shouldn’t go so overboard in that direction that they neglect some of the standouts that have emerged on their current roster. The 2022 offseason could see some big names hit the open market.

While all five of Toronto’s projected starters are locked in for 2022-23, supplementing them with the appropriate bench pieces could be the difference between becoming a lock for the postseason or getting stuck in the uncertainty of the play-in tournament.

If these 3 players finish the season strong, they should earn a spot back in Toronto for 2022-23 and beyond. Ujiri is always willing to give out new contracts to retain the most important cogs in the Toronto machine, and that devotion could help all three of these players get paid.

3 Toronto Raptors who could earn a new 2022 contract

3. Justin Champagnie

Last year, the Raptors were so impressed by the play of Yuta Watanabe that they scrapped his two-way contract and gave him a full NBA deal. If the Raptors want to fill their final roster spot and reward a deserving player, Champagnie getting an NBA deal that brings him back in 2022-23 should be on the table.

While he hasn’t seen as much time on the floor of late, Champagnie has quickly endeared himself to this fanbase as a result of his hustle, heart, and two-way potential. The advanced numbers show that the Raptors are much better when the former Pitt Panther is on the floor.

The Toronto Raptors should reward Justin Champagnie.

Champagnie could be used to fill Toronto’s final roster spot. While he will likely not be in the playoff rotation, he will be ineligible for postseason play if he remains on his two-way deal. He’s not a perfect player given the lack of offensive creation, but he’s proven he belongs in the pros.

Champagnie is one of the best offensive rebounders on this team on a per-minute basis, and that might be enough to guarantee him an expanded role with the team next year. Toronto has never been shy about promoting standout undrafted players, and Champagnie might be next in line.