The 2023/24 NBA season has ended for the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors have been through many ups and downs, with the biggest highlight being Scottie Barnes. The scoring defender, born in 2001, is becoming more and more mature and gradually becoming a pillar of the club.
However, Barnes is a rare factor that the Raptors are sure to keep at this time. Before the free transfer market and the NBA Draft, Toronto’s roster is expected to have many big changes.
Sporting News will provide readers with an overview of the force situation, as well as the upcoming NBA draft of the Toronto Raptors.
A group of Toronto Raptors players have their contracts expired
Toronto is facing many players leaving for free at the end of the season. Among these, the most notable are the cases of Bruce Brown Jr., Gary Trent Jr. and Immanuel Quickley.
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| Non constraint | Tied | Renewal options by player | Team renewal option |
| Jordan Nwora | Jontay Porter* | Do not have | Bruce Brown Jr. |
| Garrett Temple | Immanuel Quickley | ||
| Gary Trent Jr. |
*2-way contract
Bruce Brown’s contract is an extension option at the team’s discretion, with a value of $23 million for the 2024/25 season. This off-season is the right time for the Raptors to consider making a trade for Brown instead of keeping him.
Gary Trent is an untied free agent and could move to another team. After the 2024 NBA trade deadline in early February, Raptors CEO Bobby Webster said it was still necessary to wait and see if Trent was in the team’s future plans or not.
Immanuel Quickley is an obligated free agent, meaning Toronto can opt out of any contract he signs with another team. It is likely that the Raptors will renew with Quickley because they have chosen this 24-year-old player for the main ball-playing defender position.
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Toronto Raptors roster and expected salary
RJ Barrett will be the recipient of the highest salary in Toronto in the 2024/25 season with a contract valid until 2027. With Barnes, he is about to enter his fourth season, so is eligible to sign a contract. maximum contract extension during this off-season.
Data sourced from Spotrac.
| Player | 2024/25 | 2025/26 | 2026/27 | 2027/28 |
| RJ Barrett | $25,794,643 | $27,705,357 | $29,616,071 | UFA |
| Bruce Brown Jr. | $23,000,000 (TO) | UFA | ||
| Jakob Poeltl | $19,500,000 | $19,500,000 | $19,500,000 (PO) | UFA |
| Kelly Olynyk | $12,804,878 | $13,445,122 | UFA | |
| Chris Boucher | $10,810,000 | UFA | ||
| Scottie Barnes | $10,130,980 | RFA | ||
| Gradey Dick | $4,763,760 | $4,990,560 (TO) | $7,131,511 (TO) | RFA |
| Jalen McDaniels | $4,741,800 | UFA | ||
| Ochai Agbaji | $4,310,280 (TO) | $6,383,525 (TO) | RFA | |
| Javon Freeman-LIberty | $1,891,857 (NG) | RFA | ||
| DJ Carton | 2-way tour | RFA | ||
| Mouhamadou Gueye | 2-way tour | RFA |
PO = Renewal option at player discretion
TO = Extension option at team discretion
NG = Non-guaranteed contract
UFA = Unaffiliated free agent
RFA = Restricted Free Agent
Toronto Raptors 2024 NBA draft
The Raptors can pick up to three times in the 2024 NBA Draft. Here’s an overview of Toronto’s selection:
Round one
- Toronto Raptors pick (protected in top 6)
- Indiana Pacers pick (protected in top 3)
Second round
- Detroit Pistons picks (unprotected)
Under the terms of the 2023 trade deal that sends Poeltl back to Toronto, the Raptors’ first-round pick in the upcoming Draft is protected in the top 6. The Raptors retain the pick because they finished the season ranked 6th. from the bottom up, thus getting a 45.8% chance of keeping the pick.
The Raptors acquired the Indiana Pacers’ first-round pick thanks to the Pascal Siakam trade in January. With the Pacers making it to the NBA Playoffs, the pick went to Toronto.
Toronto acquired Detroit’s second-round pick from the New York Knicks in the OG Anunoby trade deal. The Pistons finished the NBA season with the worst record, so the Raptors will have the first pick in the second round of this year’s draft.
How will the Raptors build their squad?
This season, the Raptors have made it clear that their future revolves around Barnes.
Toronto is aiming to rejuvenate the squad. This is the right direction, but they still need to shape their own identity.
Barnes is only 22 years old but has already made it to the All-Star team, proving that his level is not ordinary. With a height of 2m, he can both score points, create plays, and be an excellent defender. Not to mention, Barnes still has a lot of potential to develop further in the future.
With Agbaji, Barrett, Dick and Quickley, the home team at Scotiabank Arena has its own outstanding young elements. Combined with signing Olynyk to a contract extension, they have an experienced main man with the passing ability to create space on the floor, thereby unlocking the potential of their young players.
Toronto will need to consider its options at the draft as well as the free transfer market. Will they prioritize adding more 3-point shooters from the perimeter? Or will he be a strong striker for the future? These options depend on the identity the club chooses
In the NBA, Oklahoma Thunder and Orlando Magic are prime examples of shaping the right style of play and identity around a young star, thereby regaining their position. Now is the time for the Raptors to carefully consider and learn from the above cases to build a strong squad in the future.
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