No. 3: Jalen McDaniels is on a less damaging contract
It is possible that were Jalen McDaniels to be a free agent this summer he would not receive a guaranteed deal, forced instead to go into Training Camp with a team and earn a roster spot. If he plays as poorly then as he did this season, he would be cut and likely playing in the G League.
McDaniels seemed to be a reasonable bet last summer, an athletic forward with a blurry outline of a 3-and-D wing. The Raptors signed him to a two-year, $9.26 million deal to be a part of their rotation as they chased a playoff spot.
Then the season began, and McDaniels was largely unplayable until injuries forced him into consistent service down the stretch. He shot 16.9 percent from 3-point range, making just 12 of his 71 3-pointers on the season. He totaled 30 turnovers to just 37 assists, and even his defensive playmaking took a nosedive (19 steals and six blocks in 50 appearances).
There is little shot McDaniels is factoring into Toronto's future plans outside of being $4.7 million of dead weight for next season on the books. He will need to show a significant impact in multiple areas just to earn back time on the court. It's more likely he is tossed into a trade at some point this offseason or next year.