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Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse directs his team during the second half of game seven of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse directs his team during the second half of game seven of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Have you ever gone to see a movie that you deeply anticipated because you fell in love with it even before its release? You make plans to watch, but once you do, you can’t really decide whether you loved it or not. If you’ve ever experienced this, you might get a sense of how Toronto Raptors fans might be feeling at this moment.
After making waves a couple of seasons ago by acquiring Kawhi Leonard via sign and trade, their offseasons have been relatively quiet since. Aside from losing Leonard to the Clippers, that is. Hence, one can even say that they have taken a step back since their championship-winning season in 2019.
What have the Toronto Raptors lost in this Free-Agency?
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The Raptors have lost the center position; the answer is as simple as that. The duo of Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka were the ones patrolling the paint for them. If Gasol was the defensive powerhouse, then Ibaka was shining with his offensive skill-set and variety. However, the common thing that the two provided was their leadership and experience.
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 11, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Toronto Raptors center Serge Ibaka (9) dunks against the Boston Celtics during the first half of game seven of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Serge was stepping up to the task for them in his 11th season in the NBA, averaging career-highs in points (15.4) and Assists (1.4). And even though Gasol wasn’t the All-Star level player of his Memphis Grizzlies days, his presence was important on the court. So seeing them move to Los Angeles is a blow for the Canadian NBA team.
Have the Raptors signed anyone to replace them?
The word ‘replace’ may be an overstatement here. They will rely on Aron Baynes and novice Chris Boucher to hold the fort at Number 5. Baynes’ second season is a team option, meaning that they can waive him off and create cap space should they pursue a big-name free agent in 2021.
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Toronto picks up one of the top big men on the market in Aron Baynes. Second season is a team option, sources said. Marc Gasol heads to Los Angeles on an agreement with the Lakers, where his preference has been and where his brother Pau is an icon. https://t.co/BiJ9JpeIGg
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 23, 2020
Raptors’ pursuit of Giannis may not end well for them
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Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) of the Milwaukee Bucks wears street clothes before the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets on Monday, March 9, 2020. (Photo by Aaron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Giannis Antetokounmpo is causing chaos already with his impending free agency next season. Teams including the Raptors are making plans to land the dream star. But in all honesty, the chances of him landing in Toronto are slim. If President Masai Ujiri manages to land him, then the Raptors will be the biggest winners of this free agency. Else, the biggest losers.
