Toronto Raptors: 4 potential buyout market candidates
The Toronto Raptors opened up several roster spots ahead of the trade deadline and are now in a position to be big players in the buyout market.
With the end of the trade deadline comes the next big stage for the Toronto Raptors, which is looking at the buyout market for upgrades on what is now a depleted roster.
Coming to Toronto is Marc Gasol, but it came at a cost of Jonas Valanciunas, C.J. Miles, Delon Wright and a second-round pick. On top of that, Greg Monroe and Malachi Richardson were moved in separate deals as a way to gain some roster and financial flexibility.
Once the Gasol trade was made official by the team, president Masai Ujiri made it clear that his team will be aggressive when it comes to the buyout market.
Masai thinks Gasol is still a very good player and he should be better without having so much of a load all on his shoulders. Also says Raptors will "attack the buyout market."
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) February 8, 2019
A few days ago, we wrote about how Wes Matthews would be a great addition if he was bought out by the New York Knicks, but a recent report suggests he is going to sign with the Indiana Pacers.
This is the gamble of relying on the buyout market to find upgrades; contending teams are the only destinations for these players and there are many factors they will consider before signing.
Fortunately for the Raptors, they have made it known that any player brought in will get an opportunity to play for a contending team. They also don’t have big holes to fill in their starting lineup, but they cannot go into the playoffs with a depleted bench.
Here are some potential players who should be targeted by the team should they become available.