Lowry will be free in 2021 … DeRozan too
Fred Van Vleet (19.6 points in 11 matches) certainly does not have the pedigree of Kawhi Leonard, who led Toronto to its first title in 2019 before going to the Clippers. His departure would still be a big blow. According to the North American press, Toronto might not have an interest in offering it more than $ 20 million a year, an amount no doubt necessary to keep it.
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The reason is the presence of big fish on the market next summer: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Paul George, Rudy Gobert or two ex-stars of the team, Leonard and DeMar Derozan. What to encourage to keep room in the payroll, especially since the club will also be relieved at this deadline of its biggest current contract, that of thirty-something Kyle Lowry ($ 30.5 million).
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Toronto, which has already invested heavily in Pascal Siakam in 2019 after his trophy for the player with the most progress ($ 130 million over 4 years), may be less inclined to let Fred Van Vleet go than his two “old” pivot Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka, now free after having touched nearly $ 50 million between them this season. Even if the latter was very good in 2020.
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Replacing them will not be easy because the market this fall is relatively poor (Hassan Whiteside?) And Toronto has no well-placed draft choice (29th, 59th). But his boss of sports operations, Masai Ujiri, has proven time and time again that he knows how to turn lead into gold and then Nurse knows how to make it shine. It is undoubtedly the best insurance.
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