LOWRY, IBAKA STAY WITH RAPTORS
While most NBA teams reinvent themselves via free agency, Toronto sticks to the plan
The Toronto Raptors will push forward with Kyle Lowry.
The man responsible more than anybody else for powering Toronto’s unexpected rise from laughingstock to a perennial home-court playoff team, through on-court skills and relentless effort, has agreed in principle to a three-year, US$100-million deal.
“For me, at the end of the day, this was an easy decision. And all of those roads … they all led me back to the same place: home. They all led me back to Toronto,” Lowry said on the Players’ Tribune website.
The Philadelphia native is a monster in advanced stats as the franchise leader in value over replacement player, box plusminus (with Vince Carter ranking second in both categories) and win shares per 48 minutes. Lowry ranks third in win shares and player efficiency rating, and second in steals per game.
In other words, he’s been incredible as a Raptor during regular season play, far exceeding even the highest of expectations from when he was originally acquired from the Houston Rockets by Bryan Colangelo.
Later, Lowry was nearly dealt to the New York Knicks by Masai Ujiri, shortly after his friend Rudy Gay was shipped out to Memphis. He re-signed with the club three years ago after leading it back to the playoffs for the first time in years.
With a couple of exceptions, Lowry has not been close to the same dominant force in the postseason. Injuries have held him back. That’s where the three-year term plays into Toronto’s favour. Lowry had hoped for a five-year deal, but the point guard market cratered and his age and injury history likely also came into play. Toronto preferred the flexibility of three years over four at a lower annual salary, and a compromise was reached.
With Serge Ibaka also agreeing to a three-year deal on Sunday for US$65 million, the Raptors will finally get to really see how Lowry and Ibaka pair together. Lowry’s injury came right around when Ibaka was acquired, and then Ibaka hurt his ankle in the playoffs, meaning they were never together with both at full strength.
Ujiri and his staff will now have to pare salary to avoid the luxury tax and to open up room to use the mid-level exception to make sure the squad stays competitive.
Ibaka is one of only 13 players in NBA history to make 100 three-pointers and record 100 blocks in the same season. He did it last season, along with Karl-Anthony Towns, Kristaps Porzingis and Brook Lopez.
Ibaka was acquired in exchange for Terrence Ross and a firstround draft pick — a big price that would have looked even bigger if the Raptors had lost Ibaka for nothing this summer.
Entering his ninth NBA season, Ibaka has career averages of 12 points and 7.3 rebounds. Ibaka spent his first seven NBA seasons in Oklahoma City, helping the Thunder reach the 2012 NBA Finals against Miami.
Meanwhile, the Raps have tried to get rid of DeMarre Carroll’s contract, because Toronto is in luxury tax territory with Lowry’s return. Cory Joseph has also been offered, but he doesn’t make as much as Jonas Valanciunas or Carroll, who also have longer contracts (thus solving tax problems beyond just this coming season).
If Valanciunas does get traded, it’s unclear who would replace Ibaka at power forward. P.J. Tucker signed with Houston instead of coming back, Patrick Patterson is expected to sign elsewhere, Pascal Siakam is not yet ready for that kind of a role and Jakob Poeltl and Lucas Nogueira are centres. Rookie OG Anunoby will play power forward down the line, but he might not be healthy enough to play until November and then will have to adjust to the NBA game.
The Western Conference has powered up and several big names remain up for grabs through the start of the NBA’s free agency period.
Gordon Hayward, Paul Millsap, George Hill, Otto Porter, Danilo Gallinari, Dion Waiters, Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph, Vince Carter and Patterson are some of the bigger names still available (for now).
A quick recap:
Blake Griffin stays with the Clips: The Los Angeles Clippers couldn’t lose both Chris Paul (now with the Rockets) and Griffin. They gave the former No. 1 pick, who has a history of injury issues, five years and nearly US$200 million.
Stephen Curry signs richest deal in history: The two-time MVP agreed to a deal with the Golden State Warriors for five years and US$201 million after being underpaid for years. The Warriors also paid up to retain Andre Iguodala, David West and Shaun Livingston. Kevin Durant has opted out of his contract but is expected to follow suit.
Jrue Holiday got paid: His past injury woes didn’t scare off New Orleans. The Pelicans kept him around long-term with an offer of US$126 million over five years.
Jeff Teague signed with Minnesota: The Timberwolves added a much-needed shooter who should fit in well for three years and US$57 million.
J.J. Redick trusts the process: The Philadelphia 76ers gave the 33-year-old shooter, most recently with the Clippers, US$23 million for a single season.
Taj Gibson reunites with Minny friends: Gibson rejoins pals Jimmy Butler and Tom Thibodeau with the T-Wolves. He’ll bring a strong defensive bent and veteran smarts beside Towns. Two years, US$28 million.
With Serge Ibaka also agreeing to a three-year deal on Sunday for US$65 million, the Raptors will finally get to really see how Lowry and Ibaka pair together.