Free agency is an exciting time of year for the NBA as teams look to improve their respective rosters.
For the Toronto Raptors, they found themselves in plenty of rumors before free agency kicked off. Notably, Toronto tried to trade for Kevin Durant as he navigated through his trade request.
Unfortunately, Durant controlled where he wanted to go play to round out his career. Ultimately, that team was the Houston Rockets and furthermore Houston continued to secure their core and added players in Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela.
Getting back to the Raptors, RJ Barrett was in rumors as he approaches his next payday. Which looks like Toronto does not want to be that team to pay him.
In addition to president Masai Ujiri getting shockingly let go, a day after the NBA Draft. However, Sportsnet’s Michael Grange predicts a quiet offseason for Toronto, in terms of potential roster additions:
“The Raptors have some smaller moves in the works, but likely only one roster spot to play with, given that it’s likely that Jamison Battle, whose $1.96-million guarantee for next season takes effect on July 10, will return.
That leaves one roster spot for one minimum contract. There’s every possibility the Raptors leave the spot open and let someone out of the AJ Lawson, Colin Castleton, and Jared Rhoden crowd — plus whoever might emerge out of Summer League — earn it in training camp.”
With Ujiri’s departure, filling that void seems to be a higher priority for the Raptors since their roster is full:
“The Raptors roster is, for the most part, full. They have an opening at president, though, so now we wait.”
Thus far in free agency, the Raptors brought back Garrett Temple, extended Jakob Poeltl and signed former San Antonio Spurs backup center Sandro Mamukelashvili.
Perhaps there is another signing or two, but expect a somber offseason as the Raptors’ foundation is solidified.
Toronto offered No. 9 pick for Derrick White
Despite the Raptors not making wholesale changes, the front office has been aggressive on the trade market.
Leading up to the 2025 NBA Draft, Toronto offered their No. 9 pick and presumably more for Boston Celtics guard Derrick White. Notably, Boston is cutting salary as they retool with Jayson Tatum sidelined next season with an Achilles injury.
Unfortunately, no deal materialized for the Raptors.
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