Four Raptors who aren’t likely to return next season
With the Toronto Raptors’ season formally coming to an finish, all consideration now shifts towards what might be a pivotal offseason for the franchise. The Raptors did nicely, however they nonetheless did not advance previous the primary spherical. Now it’s time for the franchise to put itself in a greater place for the next playoffs.
After developing brief within the postseason, it has turn out to be more and more clear that modifications are coming. Whether via free company, trades, or inside restructuring, the Raptors are anticipated to make a number of roster changes in hopes of taking a significant step ahead next season, and with restricted roster flexibility, it’s nearly sure that not everybody shall be returning.
Here are 4 Raptors who might be taking part in elsewhere next season:
- Garrett Temple
Up first on the record is Garrett Temple.
While some followers might not like the concept of dropping him, particularly given how revered he’s inside the group, Temple’s future in Toronto stays unsure. Despite showing in simply 22 video games and averaging solely 0.8 factors in 3.3 minutes per contest, if you recognize something about him, then you recognize his worth far outweighs his field rating contributions.
Temple was extensively seen as one of many workforce’s most necessary veteran voices and was even nominated for the NBA’s Teammate of the Year Awardin the end ending fourth behind DeAndre Jordan, Jrue Holiday, and Jeff Green.
For a younger Raptors squad, having the ability to have Temple’s management and professionalism on the workforce carried actual worth.
Still, Toronto now faces an necessary query: is it extra priceless to preserve a veteran mentor on the finish of the bench, or use that roster spot on a youthful participant with long-term upside?
As the workforce has matured previous a gaggle of rookies and sophomores, and has gained playoff expertise, it is controversial that having one other viable contributor could be extra significant than a mentor. And if Temple does transfer on, he’ll undoubtedly be missed. However, given the respect he has earned inside the group, it might not be stunning to ultimately see him return in some type of teaching or participant growth function down the road.
2. Gradey Dick
Gradey Dick’s situation could also be one of the crucial intriguing storylines of Toronto’s offseason.
After displaying legit promise throughout his sophomore season, averaging 14.4 factors whereas capturing 35 % from past the arc, many anticipated Dick to turn out to be a significant a part of the Raptors’ long-term core. Instead, his third season took a disappointing flip, notably after the All-Star break.
Once a constant a part of Darko Rajakovic’s rotation, Dick noticed each his minutes and manufacturing declined dramatically. He averaged simply 14 minutes per sport through the second half of the season whereas capturing solely 30.1 % from deep and scoring simply 6.0 factors per contest. He incessantly compelled it offensively, and though peel switching saved him alive defensively, he was not in a position to dangle in performs in isolation in any other case.
With main monetary selections looming involving gamers such RJ Barrett, Toronto may determine to transfer on from Dick so as to create extra cap flexibility. His $7.13 million wage might turn out to be extra priceless as a commerce asset than as a part of the workforce’s future rotation, and it’s expiring, which means different gamers may need him both as a second-draft candidate, or as a method of shedding wage for next season.
Recent studies have solely added gasoline to that risk. According to Sportsnet’s Michael GrangeDick is reportedly “friendly to” a commerce, making a possible cut up more and more sensible.
At this level, a recent begin might in the end profit either side.
3. Sandro Mamukelashvili
Few gamers grew to become fan favorites in Toronto as shortly as Sandro Mamukelashvili.
Mamu persistently introduced power, and much-needed frontcourt depth to the Raptors, and primarily based purely on fan response, bringing him again would appear like a straightforward resolution. Unfortunately for Toronto, retaining him is probably not so easy.
Mamukelashvili has already expressed interest in returningpraising each the group and head coach Darko Rajakovic for giving him a possibility to broaden his function and show himself as a legit NBA rotation participant. However, there is a matter…cash talks.
Because the Raptors don’t maintain Mamukelashvili’s Bird Rights, opposing groups may doubtlessly outbid Toronto in free company. After signing a modest two-year, $5.26 million contract with a participant possibility, Mamu considerably raised its worth through the 2025–26 season.
After averaging simply 6.3 factors and three.1 rebounds in restricted minutes with the San Antonio Spurs through the 2024–25 marketing campaign, Mamukelashvili flourished in Toronto. In his first season with the Raptors, he averaged 11.2 factors and 4.9 rebounds whereas taking part in practically 22 minutes per sport. He even completed tenth in Sixth Man of the Year voting, forward of teammate Jamal Shead. Although he struggled within the playoffs, his common season was spectacular.
In in the present day’s NBA, versatile large males who can stretch the ground are extremely coveted, and groups in want of extra capturing and measurement, such because the Chicago Bulls or Portland Trail Blazers, may make a critical push for him this summer time.
4. Trayce Jackson-Davis
Last on the record is Trayce Jackson-Davis. Toronto’s commerce deadline was underwhelming to say the least. Tied to lots of commerce rumors on the time, the Raps had been anticipated to make an enormous splash, however that was not the case as Toronto ended up with simply acquiring Jackson-Davis from the Golden State Warriors. Raps additionally obtained Chris Paul. However, he was waived inside the week of the deal.
It appeared as if he may supply insurance coverage on the large spot for Toronto. But in 17 video games with the Raptors, he averaged simply 1.8 factors and 1.9 rebounds in 5 minutes per sport. He by no means entered the rotation exterior of damage, and that did not change within the playoffs, as he logged solely 4 minutes of rubbish time in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
That lack of belief is particularly notable contemplating Toronto’s struggles with rebounding and inside measurement all through that collection in opposition to the Cavs.
Jackson-Davis does have a comparatively cheap $2.4 million workforce possibility, however primarily based on how little he was utilized, it appears more and more unlikely that the Raptors view him as a significant a part of their future plans.
While a few of Toronto’s potential offseason selections already really feel predictable, others would require a extra vital thought course of. Only time will inform what Toronto has up their sleeve. For now, all eyes stay on what Toronto has deliberate as soon as free company formally opens on June 30, 2026.