Predicting when every member of Raptors' starting 5 might leave
The Toronto Raptors are currently in the process of remaking their roster.
The starting 5 that they had to end the season was vastly different from the one they had to start the year. Of their original starting lineup, three players were moved in trades by the deadline, with Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby and Dennis Schroder all playing for new teams.
That's a substantial but not unheard-of development. While some teams emphasize continuity -- the Denver Nuggets won a title with an airtight starting lineup and ran it back with the same group -- others continue to rotate the players on the roster to find the right mix. The Dallas Mavericks are in the NBA Finals after turning over their entire rotation in the last 16 months aside from Luka Doncic. The Boston Celtics were in the Eastern Conference Finals last year and added two new starters this past summer.
What will the future hold for the current Raptors' starting 5. When will those players ultimately leave the team? Let's look into the crystal ball and predict when each player will find a new home.
Point Guard: Immanuel Quickley
There is some risk that Immanuel Quickley could be the first player to leave the Raptors, as he will hit restricted free agency this summer. If the Raptors try to play hardball and Quickley finds a max offer from another team, it's not impossible that Toronto works out a trade rather than match a deal that they feel is an overpay.
With that being said, the Raptors love Quickley and seem likely to work out a contract that works for both teams well ahead of that downside possibility. He was the centerpiece of the OG Anunoby trade package and is an ideal stylistic fit with Scottie Barnes due to his speed and shooting. The Raptors will prioritize keeping him around.
The deal he signs this summer will likely be a four-year one, making him a free agent again in 2028. At that point, the salary cap will have increased to such an extent that an extension off of Quickley's deal seems extremely unlikely. He will almost certainly reach unrestricted free agency in 2028, at which point he could walk away to sign with the highest bidder. That point in an NBA player's career is often the first chance they truly have to choose their own team. It seems like it would be the most likely point for Quickley to leave the Raptors.
Prediction: Summer of 2028