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Toronto Raptors not expected to add anyone via buyout market

By Paul Taylor

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 24: Executive Director and Founder of SEEDS Academy Amadou Gallo Fall (L) presents general manager of the Toronto Raptors Masai Ujiri with an award at the SEED Project 2014 Summer Event at Up
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 24: Executive Director and Founder of SEEDS Academy Amadou Gallo Fall (L) presents general manager of the Toronto Raptors Masai Ujiri with an award at the SEED Project 2014 Summer Event at Up /
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According to a report from Sportsnet’s Michael Grange, the Toronto Raptors won’t be picking anyone up from the buyout market.

Just a few weeks ago, Masai Ujiri hinted at a post-trade deadline surprise via the buyout market. As you can imagine, his comments resulted in an overload of speculation about who the Toronto Raptors would target.

Some of the possibilities included Channing Frye, Marco Belinelli and Joe Johnson; there were even rumors about a potential reunion with Vince Carter. However, one by one, pretty much anyone mentioned was eliminated from contention, whether it be because the Raptors weren’t really interested in them, they ended up somewhere else or stayed where they were.

In addition, there’s the fact players had until Mar. 1 to get out of the remaining term of their contract, it they wanted to be eligible for the playoff roster on another team. With this in mind, the latest news should come as little surprise.

As per a tweet from Sportsnet‘s Michael Grange, the Raptors won’t be adding anyone via the buyout market. Grange reasoned that there were no proper fits among the players who became available, for the limited roles the team had open.

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While it would have been good to add some playoff experience/quality depth to the roster, you can argue it doesn’t truly matter. Last time we checked, it was pretty much accepted around the NBA that the Raptors have the best bench in the league.

In addition, Toronto is still top of the Eastern Conference, with three-quarters of the regular season completed. The point being, as the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Of course, all these pluses won’t count for much, if the Raptors lay an egg come playoff time. However, combined with a new offensive mindset, the team is flourishing and have as good a chance as anyone to represent the East in the NBA Finals.

Overall, there is little to dislike about the news Toronto won’t bring any new players in. About the only real negative is, it means they will have a slightly bigger tax bill in 2018/19, but we’re pretty sure the owners can afford it.

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Assuming the report is true, are you on board with the Toronto Raptors not adding anyone from the buyout market? Or is there someone in particular you believe they should pick up? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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