TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 28: O.G. Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors looks on against the Cleveland ... [+] Cavaliers during the first half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on November 28, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesThe Toronto Raptors are facing a conundrum with O.G. Anunoby leading up to the Feb. 9 NBA trade deadline.
Anunoby is currently averaging 16.9 points on 45.7 percent shooting, 5.5 rebounds and a league-leading 2.1 steals per game. He's also one of the league's best, most versatile defenders, as evidenced by his third-place rank in Dunks and Threes' defensive estimated plus/minus.
However, Anunoby is a virtual lock to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2024 by declining his $19.9 million player option for the 2024-25 season. As they ponder a larger-scale shakeup, the Raptors might have to consider preemptively trading Anunoby before he's able to become a free agent.
They can thank the NBA's extension rules for that.
Under the current collective bargaining agreement, teams can offer no more than 120 percent of a player's previous salary or 120 percent of the league's estimated average salary (whichever is greater) in the first year of a new extension. From there, they can offer 8 percent annual raises, which is what Anunoby would receive if he re-signed with the Raptors as a free agent, too.
Anunoby agreed to a four-year, $72 million extension with the Raptors in December 2020. He's earning $17.4 million this season and is set to earn $18.6 million next year. That's well above the league's estimated average salary, so the Raptors can't offer him more than roughly $22.4 million (120 percent of his 2023-24 salary) as the starting salary of a new extension. Even with the maximum 8 percent annual raises, their four-year extension offer tops out at roughly $100.2 million.
2024-25: $22,371,428
2025-26: $24,161,142
2026-27: $25,950,856
2027-28: $27,740,571
Total: $100,223,997
The NBA’s salary cap is currently projected to jump to $134 million next season, which means it could be north of $140 million by the time Anunoby is eligible to reach free agency in 2024. As a seven-year veteran, he'd be eligible to receive up to 30 percent of the salary cap as the starting salary of his new deal as a free agent, which would be above $40 million.
Even if no team is willing to offer Anunoby a max deal in 2024 free agency, he'll likely receive something between that and the most that the Raptors can offer him in an extension. With the salary cap set to soar in 2025-26 and beyond once the NBA's new national TV contracts kick in, teams should have no reservations about offering a nine-figure deal to a Defensive Player of the Year candidate who's smack dab in the middle of his prime.
That puts the Raptors in a difficult position, particularly given the rumblings about Anunoby that have leaked in recent months.
Last May, Jake Fischer wrote at Bleacher Report that "word has circulated among rival front offices that Anunoby grew dissatisfied at times with his role in Toronto" during the 2021-22 season. However, "two sources with knowledge of the dynamic" told Fischer that Anunoby had "not directly expressed discontent with his situation with the Raptors" at the time.
That speculation hasn't quieted down, though. In fact, Canadian radio personality Bob McCown recently said he's heard something similar.
"I talked to an insider in the NBA yesterday on the phone," McCown said last Tuesday on his podcast (h/t Gilbert McGregor of Sporting News). "He tells me that Anunoby wants out of Toronto. Anunoby wants out."
According to Bruce Arthur of the Toronto Star, at least one team has offered Toronto three first-round picks for Anunoby. SNY's Ian Begley reported the New York Knicks "checked in" with the Raptors earlier this season and were "comfortable offering multiple first-round picks" for Anunoby, although he didn't think the trade talks "were at an advanced stage at that point."
On Monday, Shams Charania of The Athletic confirmed that the Knicks were willing to give up multiple first-round picks for Anunoby. He named the Phoenix Suns as another potential suitor to watch, as they have plenty of future first-round picks to offer along with promising young forward Cameron Johnson and the expiring contracts of Dario Saric and Jae Crowder.
Some executives also think the Memphis Grizzlies "could make a run" at Anunoby, according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. They're armed with all of their own first-round picks along with a top-four-protected 2024 first-rounder from the Golden State Warriors, and they could offer some combination of Danny Green's $10 million expiring contract and young players such as Ziaire Williams, Jake LaRavia and David Roddy.
The Raptors' best-case scenario might be forcing a bidding war for Anunoby leading up to the trade deadline. At 23-29, they're sitting 1.5 games behind the Chicago Bulls for the final spot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament, and Anunoby, Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet are all among the top 15 leaguewide in minutes played per game.
Even if the Raptors sneak into the playoffs this year, they aren't likely to make it past the first round. From there, they’ll have a number of difficult financial decisions to confront. Both VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. will likely become free agents this offseason by declining their $22.8 million and $18.9 million player options, respectively, while Siakam is heading into the final year of his contract in 2023-24.
At some point, the Raptors are likely to pivot into retooling around reigning Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes. The haul they receive in an Anunoby trade could help expedite that process.
The Raptors shouldn't be in a hurry to make a deal yet. Offers will inevitably increase as the trade deadline creeps closer, and they could be holding out for any news from the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association about the ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations. Both sides can opt out of the CBA by Feb. 8—one day before the trade deadline—which would cause it to expire after the 2022-23 season.
If either side does opt out, it might behoove the Raptors to wait on an Anunoby trade until the offseason. They should see whether the new CBA includes any changes to the league's extension rules, particularly if teams can offer a higher starting salary than currently allowed. That could make an Anunoby extension much more realistic possibility next year.
But if Feb. 8 comes and goes and there's no news about a new CBA, the league's extension rules could help force the Raptors' hand as they weigh whether to move Anunoby by the trade deadline.
Unless otherwise noted, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball Reference. All salary information via Spotrac or RealGM. All odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.
By: Bryan Toporek, Senior Contributor
Title: NBA’s Extension Rules Could Force Toronto Raptors To Consider Trading O.G. Anunoby
Sourced From: www.forbes.com/sites/bryantoporek/2023/02/03/nbas-extension-rules-could-force-toronto-raptors-to-consider-trading-og-anunoby/
Published Date: 02-04-2023
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the top five per-game scorers in the Raptor's history?
Kawhi Leonard leads the team in scoring with 26.6 points per games. Vince Carter has 23.4 points per game and Mike James has 20.3, Chris Bosh has 20.2, Chris Bosh 20.3, and DeMar DeRozan has 19.7 points per round.
What is the name the Toronto Raptors' official mascot?
The Toronto Raptors were founded in 1995 as an NBA team. They play their games at Scotiabank Arena.
Raptor, the giant red dinosaur that is the Raptors' symbol of loyalty, is Raptor. Raptor first appeared in 1995. He also makes appearances throughout Toronto, participating in charity events and community initiatives. For his many years of support to the Raptors, he was named NBA Mascot of the Years in 2019. Raptor is a beloved figure in Toronto and around the NBA, making him one of the most recognizable mascots in professional sports. He has also become an international symbol of Canada's basketball fandom.
Many throughout the city and country share Raptor's enthusiasm for his team and its fans. With Raptor leading the way, the Raptors have become one of the most successful teams in the NBA, winning their first championship in 2019. This was a major milestone for basketball lovers in Canada and Toronto. Raptor remains a major source for pride for those who are Raptors fans. As long as he is around, there will be plenty Raptors pride. The Raptor will live on! Go, Toronto Raptors!
When were the Raptors able to beat the Chicago Bulls.
On March 24, 1996, the Raptors beat the Chicago Bulls, who would win the NBA Championship that year. Final score was 109-108. Michael Jordan attempted a last second shot to win the Bulls game. However, it was not recorded because it was after midnight.
Vancouver was there a NBA team?
Vancouver does have an NBA team. The Vancouver Grizzlies played in Vancouver from 1995-2001. The team relocated to Memphis Tennessee in 2001. Vancouver's basketball community supports the Toronto Raptors because they are the closest NBA team. In addition, other professional basketball teams play in and around the Greater Vancouver Area, such as the BC Tigers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League and the Vancouver Volcanoes of the International Basketball League. Several amateur and semi-professional teams also play in various local leagues.
Vancouver offers many recreational options for fans to enjoy their favorite sport, aside from basketball. Vancouver Grizzlies Alumni Association aims for former players to get together and promote basketball in British Columbia. This association organizes events like viewing parties for Raptors games or clinics to help young athletes develop their game.
The city's passion for basketball has not diminished after the departure of the Grizzlies. It continues to support the sport in many ways. Vancouverites are still passionate about basketball and continue to support the many initiatives of former players and other organizations that promote basketball in the city.
Who owns Toronto Raptors
The team is owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE). MLSE also has the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs as well as the MLS's Toronto FC and CFL's Toronto Argonauts. They also own the AHL's Toronto Marlies and Toronto Rock lacrosse team.
Which was the first season of the Toronto Raptors?
The Toronto Raptors' debut season was a disaster, with only 21 wins. The 1995-1996 Toronto Raptors' inaugural season in the National Basketball Association was the first season for the Toronto Raptors. Along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, the Raptors were also one of the expansion teams that joined that league. It was also the first NBA season playing outside of the United States.
Isiah Thomas, an All-Star pointguard and former Detroit Pistons legend became the team’s General Manager. He assisted with the draft which resulted Damon Stoudamire who would go on win Rookie Of The Year. They also acquired Tracy Murray (and Oliver Miller) in separate trades. Thomas introduced a new primary symbol of a dinosaur playing in basketball and new pinstripe unis with the logo at the front of their jerseys. The Raptors added purple to their color scheme.
Brendan Malone was the Raptors' new head coach. They won against the New Jersey Nets at SkyDome on November 3. However, they lost their next seven matches.
Murray finished second in scoring and averaged 16.2 points per match. He also led the team's total of 151 three-point goals. Miller had 12.9 points per game, 1.4 steals, 1.4 assists and 1.9 block per match, while Robertson was responsible for 9.3 points with 4.4rebounds, four assists, two steals per contest off the bench.
Despite their worst record in the league, they had a very high attendance, with over 17283 people per game at SkyDome (now Rogers Centre).
How many years have the Raptors been together as a team?
Toronto Raptors are an NBA NBA franchise. In 1995, the NBA added the Raptors to its expansion roster along with the Vancouver Grizzlies. The Raptors were the only Canadian-based NBA team when the Grizzlies moved from Vancouver to Memphis in 2001-02.
Toronto Raptors are based at Scotiabank Arena, where they play their home games. The Maple Leafs, the city’s NHL team, also use the arena. Since their inception, the Raptors have been in the NBA playoffs 13 different times. They lost 6 games to Philadelphia 76ers in round one of the playoffs in 2021.
In 1999-2000 the Raptors reached their first playoff appearance. The Raptors were swept in round one by New York Knicks, their division rivals.
The fans were few and far between, and the team wasn't too exciting either. There wasn't anything to root for, nor was there anyone who cared. After years of mediocrity, they decided to change the image of the team and tried to make themselves more appealing to the public.
In 2001, the team hired an advertising agency to help create a marketing strategy to bring them national fame. Using creative thinking, they devised a slogan, "Hear us roar."
At the time, the team was struggling financially, so they used the slogan to promote the fact that the games were sold out. They just needed a catchy name and a logo. This is where agency's creative genius shines. They combined the expression "hear us roar" and another popular saying, "never die." This became the official motto of the Toronto Raptors.
Statistics
- In November of the 1996–97 season, Bitove sold his ownership interest in the team to Slaight for $65 million after Slaight had activated a shotgun clause in their partnership agreement,[32][33] giving Slaight 79 percent control of the team, [34] (en.wikipedia.org)
- By 2018, estimated the Raptors were worth $1.4 billion, 12th in the NBA. (en.wikipedia.org)
- After Thomas attempted to execute a letter of intent with Slaight to purchase the team failed, he resigned from his position in November and sold his 9 percent stake in the team to Slaight. (en.wikipedia.org)
- By 2018, estimated the Raptors were worth $1.4 billion, 12th in the NBA. (en.wikipedia.org)
- As predicted by analysts, the team easily secured a berth in the 2001 NBA playoffs with a franchise-high 47 wins. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
bleacherreport.com
jerseymuseum.org
basketball-reference.com
sportingnews.com/ca
How To
Tips for Where to Eat before the Toronto Raptors Game in Scotiabank Arena
Avoiding excess food before a game can be the best way to eat. There will be plenty of food for sale in the arena if you feel hungry after entering the arena.
You will also find concessions at the concourse and stands. Some places specialize in beer, while others serve hot dogs, pizza, burgers, and more.
Concession stands selling nachos are one of the most popular. These cheesey snacks include toppings like jalapenos. Cheese sauce. Bacon bits.
Another option is to buy tickets to a pre-game party. Many restaurants host these events where guests can enjoy food and drinks before entering the arena.
The arena is near a barbeque joint that offers great local food. There are pulled pork sandwiches, chicken wings and ribs on the menu.
There are several fast food restaurants nearby, including Subway, Tim Hortons and McDonald's.
Walking distance from many restaurants offers healthy eating options. Freshii is an example of a noteworthy restaurant. This chain sells fresh salads as well as wraps made with organic products.
You can also choose from juice bars or sushi bars.
There are many coffee shops, as well as ice cream parlours, just across from the building if that's what you want.
You can find a variety of restaurants to satisfy your cravings before or during the Toronto Raptors game. Give yourself plenty of time to clear security and locate your seat.
Have fun cheering on your home team. And thank you for reading! Go Raptors Enjoy the game
