Toronto Raptors 2020 Free Agency Options

By: Layth Dahman

The Toronto Raptors had a great season and outperformed expectations. After losing Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green's last offseason coming off winning the championship, there were strong doubts that the Raptors would make the NBA playoffs. The Raptors finished the season with 53-19 and were eliminated by the Boston Celtics in seven games of the second round.

The Raptors could look different next season with 7 free agents.

Notable Free Agents: Fred VanVleet (Unrestricted Free Agent), Stanley Johnson (Player Option), Serge Ibaka (Unrestricted Free Agent), Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Unrestricted Free Agent), Chris Boucher (Restricted Free Agent), Oshae Brissett (Restricted Free Agent), Marc Gasol (Unrestricted Free Agent), and Malcolm Miller (Restricted Free Agent).

Team Needs:

1.Maintain cap space for the 2021 free agency by signing players to a larger one-year deal or trade for one-year contracts.

2.Three-point shooting and rebounding.

3. Ball-handling guard who can create his own shot.

4. Go to scorer at the end of games.

Here are some potential moves the Raptors can make to improve for next season:

Fred VanVleet:

Fred VanVleet is going to be a free agent after a career season and will command a big contract. VanVleet has all the leverage in getting a big contract since he is in a weak free agency class and he is one of the best players in free agency. In the last season, VanVleet averaged 17.6 points per game, 6.6 assists per game, and 3.8 rebounds per game. He shot 41.3 percent from the field and an efficient 39 percent from three which ranked 40th in three-point percentage. For his size, VanVleet is a menace on the defensive end. He has defensive lateral quickness and knows how to put defensive pressure on small guards on the perimeter. When VanVleet is playing taller guards, it is harder for him to play defense. Taller, lengthy guards can take it to the rim with ease and score inside or post him up. This season, VanVleet had a defensive rating of 104.3 to go along with 1.9 steals per game which ranked 4th in the league. VanVleet also led the league in deflections per game and ranked 4th in total deflections. VanVleet averaged 4.1 deflections per game and had 224 total deflections. He allowed the Raptors to get out in transition and score easy baskets. He was a big reason the Raptors were 2nd in points off turnovers per game making the team lead the league in fast-break points. The Raptors scored 19.5 points per game off turnovers and 18.8 fast break points per game.

Sign and trade Fred VanVleet for either Victor Oladipo, Jrue Holiday, or Zach LaVine.

Sign Fred VanVleet to a 3-year deal worth $70 million and trade him to the Pacers for Victor Oladipo:

The Raptors should try and acquire Victor Oladipo in a sign and trade for Fred VanVleet. For a sign and trade to go through, the Raptors would need to sign Fred VanVleet to a contract that would have to be at least three years long without any options in the deal and no longer than a 4-year contract. Fred VanVleet would also have to agree to go to the Pacers.

The Raptors trading for Oladipo would be a low-risk, high-reward trade. Victor Oladipo, when healthy, has been a better shot creator, playmaker, and defender. This season, Oladipo’s trade value is at its lowest. He was coming off a season in which he was recovering from a ruptured quadriceps tendon, and had his 2nd worst season since his rookie year. Oladipo showed some flashes of still being a great player. This season, Oladipo averaged 14.5 points per game, 2.9 assists per game, and 3.9 rebounds per game in 19 games. He shot very poorly from the field since he was getting his offensive rhythm back from his injury. He shot 39.4 percent from the field and 31.7 percent from three. Even though Oladipo struggled on the offensive end, he didn't let it affect his defense. Oladipo had a defensive rating of 106.1 and the Pacers allowed 2 fewer points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor.

In the playoffs, Oladipo was starting to get his offensive rhythm back. He averaged 17.8 points per game, 2.5 assists per game, and 3.3 rebounds per game. He was able to shoot better from the field. He shot 39.3 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three. In 2017-2018, pre-injury Oladipo was a superstar and a top 15 player in the league. Oladipo, in that season, averaged 23.1 points per game, 4.3 assists per game, and 5.2 rebounds per game in 75 games. He shot 47.7 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from three. In this season, Oladipo was able to score in the half-court from the inside, mid-range, and three-point range. He was able to facilitate the Pacers offense and create shots for himself and others. Oladipo was also an elite defender. Oladipo had a defensive rating of 104 and led the league in steals per game with 2.4. His ability to get into passing lanes sparked the fast break and allowed his team to run in transition.

By trading for Oladipo, the Raptors would be getting a player who can create his shot off the dribble. The Raptors struggled with scoring in the half-court in the playoffs and didn't have an elite shot creator. In the playoffs, the game slows down compared to the regular season, making it hard for VanVleet to score as he struggles in half-court offenses making him more inefficient in the playoffs.

Fred VanVleet is not a shot creator but rather a catch and shoot player. This season, in catch and shoot plays, he shot 33.3 from two-point range and 44 percent from three-point range. In pull up plays, his percentage dropped to 28.8 percent from two-point range and 32.7 percent from three. Off 0 dribbles, he shot 69.6 percent from two-point range and 43.9 percent from three. When he started dribbling then shooting, his percentage fell down significantly. When he took shots off dribbles, his average two-point percentage fell to 36.6 and his three-point percentage fell to an average of 32.5 percent. His small stature makes it hard for him to create his shot over taller defenders. This season, although Oladipo was worse off the dribble compared to his previous years, he still did better than VanVleet. Off the dribble, he shot 49.2 percent from two-point range and 36.8 percent from three.

The Pacers would do this trade since it is rumored that Oladipo wants out. He has one year left on his contract and can leave next offseason with the Pacers getting nothing in return for him. The Pacers would still get a defender equal to Oladipo. Fred VanVleet is a champion and would bring a championship mentality into that organization. The Pacers were also a poor three-point shooting team. They had 10.2 three-pointers made per game ranking them second last in the league on only 28 three-pointers attempted per game which ranked last. VanVleet would make them a better three-point shooting team. Fred VanVleet, in the regular season, made 2.7 three-pointers on 6.9 three-point attempts per game. In the playoffs, his three-point percentage skyrocketed to another level. He made 4 three-pointers on 10 attempts per game. Fred VanVleet is also a better playmaker than Oladipo. It would be more enticing for VanVleet to be a primary ball-handler and playmaker with the Pacers than to play with the Raptors as the secondary ball-handler behind Kyle Lowry. This season, VanVleet averaged 3.7 more assists per game than Oladipo. The Pacers need a more traditional point guard to go along with Malcolm Brogdon rather than having Oladipo run the point guard position. VanVleet has been more durable than Oladipo and would be cheaper for the Pacers than paying Oladipo a near-max contract.

For the Raptors, this trade would give them a chance to stay competitive while maintaining cap space for the 2021 big free agency. If Oladipo doesn't work out for the Raptors, they can let him walk. If Oladipo does work out and the Raptors are interested in re-signing him, they can target another star and then go over the salary cap to re-sign Oladipo since they would have his bird rights. This trade avoids the Raptors giving a large long-term contract for VanVleet and gives them more cap flexibility to get two stars rather than one.

Sign Fred VanVleet to a 4-year deal worth $90 million and trade him to New Orleans Pelicans for Jrue Holiday:

The Raptors should consider signing and trading Fred VanVleet for Jrue Holiday if that offer is available. A sign and trade, in this situation, would go through since it would be a four-year deal but there cannot be a player option or a team option when signing a contract in a sign and trade. For this to happen, Fred VanVleet would need to agree to go to the Pelicans.

The Raptors trading for Jrue Holiday would be another low-risk, high-reward move. By trading for Jrue Holiday, the Raptors would be getting a player better suited for the playoffs. Jrue Holiday has more size than Fred VanVleet. He is a better shot creator and is a better scorer in the half-court offense compared to VanVleet, which is important in the playoffs when the game slows down. Holiday is a more aggressive player and can score from inside, mid-range, and three-point range. This season, Holiday had another consistent season. He averaged 19.1 points per game, 6.7 assists per game, and 4.8 rebounds per game. He had a field goal percentage of 45.5 percent and a three-point percentage of 35.3. Holiday is also a great defender. He has 1.6 steals per game. He is 2nd in deflections per game with 4 per game and leads the league in total deflections with 246. He could spark the fast break for the Raptors and allow them to push the ball in transition and score easy baskets like VanVleet was doing this season. Holiday is also a physical, lengthy defender and he can make it tough for opposing guards to score. In the 2018 playoffs, he shut down Damian Lillard and forced Lillard to have his worst postseason in his career. He didn't give Lillard any space to shoot. He held Lillard to a lethargic 18.5 points per game, 4.8 assists per game, and 4.5 rebounds per game. Lillard shot a terrible 35.2 percent from the field and 30 percent from three. In that series, Holiday was also a star offensively with averages of 23.7 points per game, 6.3 assists per game, and 5.7 rebounds per game.

If the Pelicans did this trade, it would provide them with more three-point shooting and defense. Fred VanVleet is a better three-point shooter than Holiday and shoots 3.7 percent better than Holiday from three. He also attempts more threes than Holiday which spaces the floor more for Zion Williamson. VanVleet attempted 6.9 three-pointers per game in the regular season and 10 per game in the playoffs compared to Holiday`s 5.7 three-pointers attempted per game. Zion Williamson needs three-point shooters on the team so he has more space to operate inside. VanVleet is also a better catch and shoots three-point shooter than Holiday. He will get open looks from the pressure that Williamson will draw from opposing defenders off dribble penetration. In catch and shoot scenarios, VanVleet shoots 44 percent from three compared to Holiday`s 36.4 percent from three. VanVleet has been successful in the past during the finals when playing with a superstar. He made big catch and shoot threes in the 2019 finals against the Golden State Warriors off the offensive pressure that Kawhi Leonard caused on defense. Lonzo Ball will benefit from having Fred VanVleet in the backcourt to hide his three-point shooting deficiencies. Even though Ball improved his three-point shooting percentage and his shot mechanics, he is still an inconsistent three-point shooter. By having VanVleet on the team, he can focus on his strengths which are pushing the ball in transition and playmaking. Fred VanVleet matches the Pelicans’ play style of high tempo offense and would help them push the ball in transition. He is a solid playmaker and will have a two-man game with Williamson on the fast break and will throw lobs to him. The Pelicans will also get younger Fred VanVleet who matches the timeline of the Pelicans better than Jrue Holiday. Fred VanVleet is 26 years old and is entering his prime compared to Jrue Holiday who is 30 years old and is looking to win now.

The risk in a sign and trade for the Raptors would be that Holiday has a player option in 2021-2022 worth $27,020,000 that he may accept given his age and injury history. The Raptors are looking to get involved in the 2021 free agency class which is one of the best free agency classes in recent history and they need to preserve as much cap space as possible. If Holiday accepts his player option, the Raptors could always use his expiring contract and take on a longer-term, cheaper contract to go along with additional assets. The Raptors could also keep Holiday and Siakam if Holiday accepts his player option and still have cap space to get another star or superstar in free agency to build a big three.

Sign Fred VanVleet to a 4-year deal worth $100 million and trade him to the Chicago Bulls for Zach LaVine:

The Toronto Raptors should try to sign and trade Fred VanVleet, a 2021 unprotected first-round pick, and a future second-round pick for Zach LaVine.

This trade will help the Raptors and Bulls fill needs. The Raptors need a young shooting guard, who can score, that they can develop. The Bulls have lacked defensive guard play and playmaking, and by acquiring VanVleet, they would instantly improve on the defensive side of the ball.

By trading for Zach LaVine, the Raptors would be getting the scorer they have needed since Kawhi Leonard left. In the past two seasons, LaVine has improved offensively. This season LaVine had a career year and averaged 25.5 points per game, 4.2 assists per game, and 4.8 rebounds per game. Even though he is putting up stats as the number one option on a bad team, and has a high usage rate of 31.2% which ranks 10th in the league, it should not be a cause of concern that his scoring occurs just because he is on a bad team. He is efficient, shooting 45 percent from the field and 38 percent from three. He attempts and makes a lot of threes. This season, he made 3.1 three-pointers per game on 8.1 attempts. He is the ideal scorer for the Raptors. He can create his shot from inside, mid-range, and three-point range off the dribble. LaVine can come off screens and make tough, contested shots from three-pointers. LaVine is also an aggressive player driving to the rim and draws more fouls than VanVleet. This season, LaVine attempted 2 more free throws per game than VanVleet. LaVine`s game complements Pascal Siakam`s game well. Siakam struggled in the playoffs as the number one option, averaging 17 points per game, 3.8 assists per game, and 7.5 rebounds per game. He shot an abysmal 39.6 percent from the field and 18.9 percent from three. By trading for LaVine, Siakam can go back to being the second option on offense and playing off-ball. Opponents will not be able to pressure him as much as they did in this postseason with a true scorer on the team. LaVine and Siakam play well in transition and will get easy fast-break points off the Raptors’ elite defense.

LaVine is a poor defender, allowing 111.2 points per 100 possessions. He makes the Bulls a worse defensive team by 1.4 points per 100 possessions. The Raptors have many great defenders that can hide LaVine's flaws, through the likes of Kyle Lowry, Norman Powell, OG Anunoby, and Pascal Siakam. Kyle Lowry, as a guard, is an elite perimeter and interior defender. He has a defensive rating of 104 to go along with 1.4 steals per game. Lowry ranks 15th in deflections per game with 3. He is in the right place at the right time. He makes clutch defensive plays changing the momentum of the game. He leads the league in charges and charges per game. This season, Lowry had 34 total charges drawn and 0.59 charges drawn per game. He plays with a lot of intensity and heart on the defensive end. Even though Lowry is one of the more undersized guards in the league, he is able to defend taller players in the post and force them into a tough contested shot in the post or alternatively force them into a tough pass. Norman Powell is an active lengthy perimeter defender. He is always active on the defensive end and is able to get into passing lanes and deflect passes. He has a defensive rating of 104.6 to go along with 1.2 steals per game. OG Anunoby is one of the toughest perimeter defenders for opponents to deal with in the league. He is a defensive specialist and guards the opposing team`s best player. With a long wingspan of 7 feet 2 inches, he forces opponents into tough shots. This season, Anunoby had a defensive rating of 104.2 to go along with 2.5 deflections per game. Pascal Siakam is a lengthy elite perimeter and interior defender. He is versatile and can guard multiple positions. He turns defense into offense and protects the rim at times. His length helps him alter shots and force opponents into tough shots at the rim. This season Siakam had a defensive rating of 103 to go along with 1 steal and 1 block per game. When Siakam is in a slump offensively, it doesn't affect his defense. In the 2019-2020 playoffs, he struggled offensively but still had a huge defensive impact. In this playoff run, he had a defensive rating of 103.6 to go along with 1.1 steals per game. The Raptors use a lot of help defense and switch defense, which will help hide LaVine.

LaVine has never made the playoffs in his career but by being on a potential playoff team he will be more engaged on the defensive end and give more effort. Nick Nurse is one of the best coaches in the league and will challenge LaVine to be a better defender.

The Bulls would do this trade to improve their defense and playmaking, and to get an additional draft pick. LaVine is a defensive liability and makes the Bulls a worse defensive team. The Bulls ranked 12th in defensive rating by allowing 109.8 points per 100 possessions. With Zach LaVine on the floor, the Bulls allowed an extra 1.4 points per 100 possessions. Fred VanVleet will have an immediate impact on the defensive end for the Bulls and will be the defensive leader on the team. He is an active defender and closes out hard on shots. The Bulls are a team that severely struggled with playmaking and VanVleet will immediately improve their playmaking. The Bulls ranked 23rd in assists with 23.2 assists. This season, as the secondary ball-handler behind Kyle Lowry, VanVleet averaged 6.6 assists per game which ranked 19th in the regular season, and 6.9 assists per game which ranked 6th in the postseason. He averaged 1.2 more assists than the leading assist leader on the Bulls. The Bulls’ offense at times is stagnant and needs more ball movement. At times LaVine is very ball-dominant which can lead to a forced shot.

LaVine, at times in the season, looked unhappy and disengaged with the Bulls. This may change with the new management and Billy Donovan. If the Bulls wait until next year when LaVine has one year left on his deal and LaVine is still unhappy, he can demand a trade and other teams will have the leverage lowering his trade value. By trading LaVine now the Bulls will be maximizing LaVine’s value. The Raptors’ pick, that the Bulls will get in this deal, is enticing. The Raptors can look like a different team in 2021, and if they don't bring their free agents back and miss the playoffs, it will be a lottery pick. Trading for VanVleet gives them a point guard and playmaker they can build around for the next couple of years. VanVleet is an Illinois native and it could help bring more fans to the games. This trade would save the Bulls more money long term by avoiding paying LaVine the max.

For the Raptors, it will give them a young guard who can score, and whom they can build around in the future. The Raptors have one of the best development staffs in the NBA which will unlock aspects of LaVine's game other than scoring. This trade wouldn't impact 2021 cap space for the Raptors since LaVine is on a team-friendly deal of $19,500,000 per year for the next 2 years. The Raptors will also have LaVine’s rights and could exceed the salary cap to re-sign him in the future.

Re-sign Fred VanVleet for 4 years $72 million if unable to execute a sign and trade:

If the Raptors are unable to execute one of these sign and trades, then offer Fred VanVleet no more than 4 years, $72 million. If he insists on more, then the Raptors should let him walk and keep cap space. He knows the system and can replace Lowry when he gets older. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and is mentally tough. He fits the Raptors defensive schemes and knows how to defend for his size. He is an active defender and contests shots without fouling

The downside is that, in the playoffs, he is undersized and can’t create offense off the dribble. When the game slows down in the playoffs, he doesn't produce offense in the half-court. His offense comes off layups in transition and catch and shoot three-pointers. This season, in catch and shoot plays, he shot 33.3 from two-point range and shot 44 percent from three-point range. In pull up plays, his percentage fell by 4.5 percent from two-point range and 11.3 percent from three compared to his catch and shooting stats. Off 0 dribbles, he shot 69.6 percent from two-point range and 43.9 percent from three. When he started dribbling and then shooting, his percentage fell down significantly. When he took shots off dribbles, his average two-point percentage fell to 36.7 and his three-point percentage fell to an average of 32.5 percent. 

The Raptors should not offer VanVleet more than $18 million a year for the next four years. They need to save cap space for the big free agency class of 2021. If they offer him more than $18 million a year, it will make it harder to have a max slot for a star player.

Stanley Johnson:

Stanley Johnson is going to accept his one-year player option with the Raptors, worth $3,804,150 after not being a part of the rotation and playing in the NBA G-League. Johnson was only able to get some minutes in blowouts at the end of games. When Johnson had played in the G-League, he had been inefficient. He averaged 22.7 points per game, 4.7 assists per game, 9 rebounds per game, and 2.7 steals per game. He shot an abysmal 32.8 percent from the field and 24 percent from three. Johnson is closer to being a G-League level talent than an NBA level talent.

Serge Ibaka:

Re-sign Serge Ibaka for 2 years worth $50 million with a team option after the first year:

Serge Ibaka is coming off a career season with the Raptors, and there will likely be a lot of suitors for him. He averaged 15.4 points per game and 8.2 rebounds per game coming off the bench. He shot an efficient 51 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three. He has transformed his game to be a more modern big. He became the first player in NBA history to have at least 500 three-pointers and 1500 blocks throughout his career. He can shoot from inside, mid-range, and three-point range in catch and shoot scenarios. The Raptors can continue using him in pick and roll and pick and pop situations. He plays with physicality and is a tough inside presence for opponents to deal with. In the postseason, even though Ibaka scored less, he played more efficiently in fewer minutes. In the postseason, with 4.1 fewer minutes per game, he averaged 14.8 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game. He improved his field goal percentage to 57.3 percent and his three-point percentage to 51.1 percent in the playoffs. He was one of the most efficient players in the playoffs and ranked 4th in field goal percentage and 6th in three-point percentage. He was more aggressive in the playoffs and got more high quality looks off pick and rolls and pick and pops.

Ibaka is also a defensive anchor for the Raptors and a big reason that the Raptors’ defense ranked 2nd in the league. He is not the interior defender he used to be with the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier in his career, but he is still a decent interior defender and rim protector. This season, he had a defensive rating of 105.5 to go along with 1 block per game in the regular season. In the post-season, when the game is played at a slower pace, he thrives even more on defense. In the post-season, he had a defensive rating of 101.5 to go along with 1.3 blocks per game.

The Raptors should offer Ibaka a 2-year deal worth $50 million with a team option after the 1st year. This deal gives Ibaka a chance to get one last big payday for one more year, while giving the Raptors an opportunity to maintain cap flexibility for 2021. The Raptors can still decline his team option after the 2020-2021 season and maintain his bird rights in next year’s free agency. For a team to maintain bird rights, it has to be a one-year deal with a no-trade clause or a 2-year deal or longer. If the Raptors decide to decline his one-year team option, they can still re-sign him to a long-term team-friendly contract. This will allow the Raptors to go over the salary cap after pursuing the stars they want in free agency. With Marc Gasol also being a free agent, it makes more of a priority for the Raptors to bring Ibaka back. Gasol is likely to leave the Raptors in free agency. Gasol was an offensive liability in the postseason. He was missing open looks at the basket and from three. Gasol, in the postseason, averaged 6 points per game and only 4.4 rebounds per game. The centers on other teams outrebounded Gasol when he was in the game.

Hassan Whiteside:

Sign Hassan Whiteside to a 2-year deal worth $30 million:

With the Raptors not having a center at the moment, they should target Hassan Whiteside. The Raptors would have to do this move before re-signing their own players since they have bird rights on their own players and can pass the salary cap to re-sign them.

The Raptors have never had a center like Whiteside. Whiteside is a player who can score inside and from mid-range. He will be a pick and roll threat and is starting to add the pick and pop to his game. He is an elite rim protector and rebounder which the Raptors have never had. This season, Whiteside had 15 points per game and 13.5 rebounds per game. He is a double-double machine. He shot an efficient 62.1 percent from the field which ranked 4th in field goal percentage. Whiteside is one of the best rim protectors in the league. He averaged 2.9 blocks per game during the regular season which ranked 1st and had 2 blocks per game in the postseason which ranked 2nd.

With Whiteside being one of the best offensive rebounders in the league, he will give the Raptors extra possession in the regular season and playoffs. Whiteside, in the regular season, ranked 5th in offensive rebounds with 3.9 per game leading to 5-second chance points which were the best in the league. This season, the Raptors didn't have a player with double-digit rebounds. They also struggled to get offensive rebounds and got only 9.6 per game which ranked 24th. If they were to get Whiteside, he would significantly improve that. Whiteside is one of the best centers at converting putbacks shooting 66 percent on putbacks.

The flaw of Whiteside is his body language and effort. At times, he is disengaged on the defensive play and is more worried about shot-blocking rather than making the right defensive play. Teams like to put pressure on Whiteside by running pick and roll offense. Whiteside struggles to contest and alter shots in pick and roll defense. He also is not a good help defender or switch defender, causing opponents to have wide-open mid-range jump shots.

The Raptors could get Whiteside on a team-friendly deal of 2 years for $30 million. This deal won’t sacrifice a lot of cap space for the 2021 off-season while filling the need at the center position. If they bring back Ibaka, this would give them the flexibility of rotating between Whiteside and Ibaka in the starting lineup depending on the matchup. In the playoffs, when the Raptors face a team with size, this move will allow the Raptors to run a big lineup of Pascal Siakam at the 3, Ibaka at the 4, and Whiteside at the 5, at the end of games.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson:

If possible, the Raptors should bring back Rondae Hollis-Jefferson on a mid-level exception. Hollis-Jefferson is a non-bird free agent, meaning the Raptors can`t exceed the salary cap to bring him back. The Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception will give Jefferson a contract of around $5,718,000 for one year.

Hollis-Jefferson gets his offense by cutting to the rim and scoring inside. Hollis-Jefferson was a key defensive versatile player for the Raptors. He was also a good rebounder for his size and got key rebounds. He does the dirty work that other players don't like to do. This season, Jefferson had a defensive rating of 104.3. He is a versatile defender and can guard positions 1 through 5. He rarely blows defensive coverages and is a good help defender. The only defensive weakness he has is coming off screens.

It is likely that a team with more cap space that is looking for defensive versatility will offer Hollis-Jefferson more money for more years. He will likely demand a 3-year contract for $24 to $30 million. The Raptors are a deep team and can’t offer him the minutes he is looking for compared to the minutes other teams can offer him.

Chris Boucher:

The Raptors should offer the qualifying offer to Chris Boucher worth $1,999,761 to keep him a restricted free agent. By doing so, they have an option to match the contract other teams offer him. If Chris Boucher rejects the qualifying offer, they should sign him to a 2-year contract worth $6 million. He knows his role well and plays hard. He gives the Raptors a spark off the bench and plays with energy. He can space the floor and block shots. He has a good work ethic and will continue improving. Whenever a key player for the Raptors is hurt or sitting out, he steps up and plays well.

Oshae Brisset:

The Raptors should keep Oshae Brisset for the minimum. He is a young player they can keep developing in the G-League. This season in the G-league he averaged 15.8 points per game, 1.8 assists per game, and 6.9 rebounds per game. He shot 41.5 percent from the field and 26.3 percent from three. He can be a good wing defender. He has length with a wingspan of 7 feet and athleticism. In the G-League, he averaged 1 steal per game and 1 block per game.

Don`t re-sign Marc Gasol or Malcolm Miller:

The Raptors should not re-sign Marc Gasol or Malcolm Miller. It is likely that Gasol will leave the Raptors for either Europe or another NBA team. He struggled mightily this postseason, in which he averaged 6 points per game, 2.6 assists per game, and 4.4 rebounds per game. He shot inefficiently with percentages of 39.1 percent from the field and 18.5 percent from three. His biggest offensive skill, which is playmaking, also fell off. He averaged 0.7 fewer assists per game in the postseason. His field goal percentage dropped by 3.6 percent and his three-point percentage dropped 20 percent compared to the regular season. He is still a defensive presence and a defensive leader but is too much of an offensive liability. He has the ability to defend pick and rolls, post-ups, and is a good switch and help defender. He can also alter opponents’ shots and force them into tough, contested shots.

Malcolm Miller has spent most of his time in the G-League and has rarely played in the NBA. He is currently 27 years old and the Raptors are better off saving a roster spot for a younger player that they can develop and has more potential. This season in the NBA, Miller averaged 1.3 points per game,0.4 assists per game, and 0.6 rebounds in 5.8 minutes per game. He shot 41.4 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three.