Toronto Raptors: Four contracts deemed “bad” enough to trade this offseason
The Toronto Raptors may be prepared to be major players in free agency this offseason, throwing money at players to try and bolster the team now in an attempt to contend for the postseason. With up to $46 million at their disposal, they could probably overspend to get one or more players.
For their cap space, though, they also have the option of taking on money via trades. More specifically, overpaid players whose teams must relocate to take advantage of salary flexibility may find a home with the Raptors. The Raptors might receive significant draft capital in exchange for their services—cash that they would not acquire by signing a player.
At the lowest end of the scale, that might entail accepting a meager expiring wage; at the highest end, it would entail working around an undersea contract for several seasons. There could be many advantages if Toronto can be patient in rebuilding the roster; the larger the ask, the bigger the return. The cost of adding a valuable player is reduced when a player with more value takes on salary rather than returning a matched wage.
Let’s examine the contributions that each of the four players—whose teams might be trying to trade them in order to get rid of their money—would provide to the Raptors both on the court and in the books.
De’Andre Hunter, No. 4
When it comes to young forwards, you generally can’t give them a terrible contract right out of their rookie year. De’Andre Hunter was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round after they traded up for him as a two-way forward to build upon. However, injuries and poor offensive performance have stunted Hunter’s growth and influence, and now even his defense is plateauing. It’s difficult to argue that Hunter is anything other than a negative value on his contract given the three years and $70 million he has left on it.
It would make a lot of sense for the Raptors to add Hunter and return a first-round choice if they are not in a hurry to compete. Given that neither of them are knockdown shooters, he is not a great fit with Scottie Barnes, but he ought to have a chance to recover in a different environment. Because of how valuable his archetype is, it’s possible that he has a rebound year and the Raptors can move him for value in the future, or at the at least, use him as a neutral asset.
Third: Gabe Vincent
The Miami Heat finished last season with an unlikely trip to the NBA Finals, where they were defeated by the Denver Nuggets in five games. One of the outcomes of the run was the payment of the Heat’s supporting cast, which included major deals for Max Strus and Gabe Vincent.
After D’Angelo Russell was moved, Vincent joined the Los Angeles Lakers as the probable backup point guard. Rather, Russell stayed around and Vincent missed the majority of the season with an injury, which caused the Lakers to have two problems. Russell and Vincent are receiving total compensation of over $30 million, and it is difficult to advance in the role when one is already so deeply in debt.
The Lakers would undoubtedly try to include Vincent in any deal for a perimeter player this summer, but his salary is probably a deal-breaker given his unknown injury status going forward. Vincent’s journey to become a star this summer may be facilitated by his discovery of the Raptors as a team to send him to.
Second place: Jaylen Brown
Jaylen Brown is the top player on this list by far. He is the kind of two-way wing that you send assets after rather than bringing in assets to play with him. However, the truth is that Jaylen Brown joined a team that has a massive financial commitment to its main players and secured the richest contract in NBA history during the offseason.
The second luxury tax apex will prevent the Boston Celtics from accomplishing much of anything unless they run out of money, which will be necessary if they lose early in the postseason.
For Brown to be considered for a trade, most potential partners would have to pay at least as much as Brown’s $49.7 million contract for the upcoming season.
The Toronto Raptors are now in position to pay Brown almost his entire salary. That would probably cut Brown’s acquisition cost substantially, allowing the Celtics to clear enough space on the salary sheet to make another acquisition. Depending on what the Celtics want, the Raptors may also add one or more veterans. Bruce Brown, whose contract is about to expire, would be of interest to them. Al Horford to be replaced by a reunion of Kelly Olynyk?
Immanuel Quickley, Scottie Barnes, and Jaylen Brown may team up right away to create a potent young star trio, with Brown serving as the seasoned veteran with a ton of experience. With that core, the Raptors would need Scottie Barnes to break into the Top 10, but it’s a great starting point, and by providing the Celtics with such salary relief, they could probably add Brown at a reduced cost.
Andrew Wiggins, number one
The Golden State Warriors will experience major changes this summer in addition to being eliminated early from the NBA playoffs. A postseason run and a large team payroll are one thing for the Boston Celtics or Minnesota Timberwolves; finishing in the top five and ranking among the league’s most costly teams is quite another for the Warriors.
They will therefore make an effort to do away with money this summer, whether it means playing hardball in talks with Klay Thompson or letting Chris Paul depart. An alternative is to bring back a different sort of player or lower salary by dealing a costly player like Andrew Wiggins.
Since Wiggins is a native of Canada, he might accept being the more experienced player on a rebuilding club and embrace a trade to the 905. All the Raptors would have to do would be take up Wiggins’ whole salary—probably at least at no expense. Bruce Brown, a reliable veteran with a deal that is about to expire, could also be traded back, saving the Warriors a few million dollars this season and clearing the books the next summer. Would Jakob Poeltl be a better center than Trayce Jackson-Davis?
A true two-way wing, Wiggins had a difficult time last season due to injuries and consistency issues following his stellar performance on the Warriors’ 2022 championship squad. Getting Wiggins might let the Raptors to acquire a perfect role player to start with Scottie Barnes while also giving them the opportunity to rehab a good player and sell him for a profit.
The Raptors aren’t limited to using their salary cap room to sign free agents; they can also use it to cut costs on important players or reclaim some bad contracts.