Toronto Raptors

Although NBA free agency is often an exciting time for fans, that positive feeling may turn to nervousness when there's a possibility of losing a key player.

Fortunately for supporters of the Toronto Raptors, however, they can be confident Serge Ibaka is going to stick around.

Set to become an unrestricted free agent, Ibaka is playing the final season of a three-year, $64 million contract. But he told Matt Rodrigo of Sportsnet that leaving Toronto isn't going to happen.

"I'm gonna stay, bro," Ibaka said. "This place is beautiful. ... It's a beautiful city, beautiful people here and we have one of the best teams. Why leave, bro? Go where?"

During the 2016 offseason, the Oklahoma City Thunder traded Ibaka after a seven-year tenure. The 7-footer played 56 games with the Orlando Magic before they shipped him to the Raptors, who re-signed him to the current deal in July 2017.

Ibaka has transitioned from a full-time starting role to a semi-regular spot, yet his impact remains high.

He averaged 11.3 points and 5.2 rebounds in the 2019 NBA Finals to help Toronto claim its first-ever title. This season, he averaged 16 points and shooting 39.8 percent from three—both of which would be career-high marks—before the shutdown.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbmDK4rAlps

So now, it's about money.

Fred VanVleet and Marc Gasol will be unrestricted free agents too. Kyle Lowry is due $30.5 million next year, and Pascal Siakam's four-year extension kicks in. Toronto already has $85.1 million committed to a projected $115 million salary cap.

But because of Bird rights, the Raptors have the maneuverability to re-sign Ibaka, VanVleet and Gasol. Provided the financial terms are no issue, Ibaka should return to Toronto.

As for Marc's brother, Pau Gasol, he's contemplating the question of whether he'll return to the NBA at all.

The elder Gasol signed a one-year contract with the Portland Trail Blazers last offseason, but a lingering injury kept the veteran on the sideline. That story is all too familiar lately.

In 2018-19 with the San Antonio Spurs, he missed 30 games because of a stress fracture in his right foot. San Antonio agreed to a buyout with Gasol, who then joined the Milwaukee Bucks. But a left foot injury ended his season after three games.

While recovering from surgery, Gasol headed to Portland a one-year deal. Within a month of the 2019-20 season starting, the Blazers released him because of complications in his rehab.

Portland has waived F/C Pau Gasol, per Gasol. He’s been unable to successfully rehab left foot following surgery. Blazers had protections in 1-year deal. Gasol, Blazers working on details of coaching role as future HOFer remains in Portland to rehab.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 20, 2019

But he's hoping that's not it.

ESPN's Zach Lowe asked whether he planned to attempt a return in 2021 and play in his fifth Olympics.

"Well, I'm going to try," Gasol said. "But first of all, I gotta focus on what I control—which is my rehab—and kind of follow that process and get healthy, get that foot strong. And now, then, find out whether I can or I won't."

Gasol acknowledged he has considered playing in his native Spain but his first choice is staying in the NBA.

Even before exploring potential suitors, the key is recovering from this injury. But if Gasol—who turns 40 in July—is healthy, he could play a final NBA season before a well-deserved Olympic sendoff.

                      

Follow Bleacher Report writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.

Serge Ibaka isn't looking to leave Toronto anytime soon.  

The Raptors forward, who's in the final season of a three-year, $65 million contract, said he's willing to re-sign this offseason during a virtual interview with Sportsnet's Matt Rodrigo. 

You heard it from the man himself folks, @sergeibaka says he's ready to stay and re-sign with the @Raptors! #WeTheNorth

(🎥: HollywoodUnlocked) pic.twitter.com/FkZKRjQwqS

— Matthew Rodrigopulle (@Matt_Rodrigo_) April 9, 2020

"I'm going to stay, bro." Ibaka said. "This place is beautiful. ... It's a beautiful city, beautiful people here and then we have one of the best teams. Why leave?"

It's safe to say the current contract has worked out quite well for both sides.

Ibaka is currently averaging a career-best 16.0 points and 8.3 rebounds while playing 27.5 minutes per night. He's ingrained himself on a roster that's among the best in the Eastern Conference and was close to locking up the No. 2 seed in the Eastern playoffs before the NBA suspended play due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Beyond his numbers, Ibaka was a major player in winning the team's first title last season and has become a fan favorite thanks to his personality and love of scarves. 

The 11-year veteran will turn 31 in September, so it remains to be seen whether he can continue to produce at his current clip. Regardless, the three-time first-team All-Defensive honoree adds plenty of value across the board, especially when he's playing alongside forward Pascal Siakam.

The Raptors already survived one massive offseason loss when Kawhi Leonard bolted for the Los Angeles Clippers last summer. While finding a replacement for Ibaka might be easier in theory, continuing to dismantle a championship roster would come with obvious risks. 

In any case, the fact that Ibaka wishes to remain with the Raptors should at least be seen as a win. As general manager Bobby Webster continues to forecast what the team could look like moving forward, he can count on Ibaka remaining a part of the roster if he offers him an extension. 

Toronto Raptors big man Serge Ibaka can't play much basketball at the moment, so he's instead turning to Instagram to see what other ways there are to stay entertained.

While the NBA remains on hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic, Ibaka announced Monday he'll be hosting a talent show on Instagram Live. The forward will donate $20,000 to the winner's city or region to help fight COVID-19.

While we are all social distancing and in quarantine, I'd like to bring positivity and reward talent and creativity. Starting with an open casting on April 8th on my IG @sergeibaka. If you are 18+ and want to participate, follow @ouenzeentertainment on Instagram first.

— Serge Ibaka (@sergeibaka) April 6, 2020

Those who wish to participate must be at least 18 years old and can submit to the casting call Wednesday.

More and more NBA players are turning to streaming to provide distractions during the pandemic while the majority of sports leagues are suspended. Oklahoma City Thunder star Chris Paul has been hosting wine-drinking parties on Instagram Live where he chats with other high-profile athletes like Carmelo Anthony and Cam Newton, while Miami Heat forward Meyers Leonard has put his video game prowess online by streaming his matches on Twitch.

In the end, the @IbakaFoundation will donate $20.000 to help combat Covid-19 in the ultimate winner's city or region. The winner will also receive a signed #9 Ibaka jersey.

Are you ready to show the world your talent?

— Serge Ibaka (@sergeibaka) April 6, 2020

Ibaka is offering something different: a chance for those stuck at home to be the star of their own show as they attempt to help their communities address those impacted by the coronavirus.

The Raptor hasn't said when the show will air, but we can assume scarves are required.

The 2020 Olympics may have been postponed for a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but that hasn't changed Nick Nurse's stance on coaching the Canadian men's basketball team.

The Toronto Raptors head coach told reporters Friday he remains "100 percent committed" to coaching Team Canada in 2021 as it attempts to qualify for the Tokyo Games.

Nurse added that he misses coaching the Raptors amid the NBA's hiatus because of the coronavirus:

“It’s a true joy ... and they’re missed” — Nick Nurse on not coaching the Raptors during NBA hiatus.

— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) April 3, 2020

Canada Basketball hired the 52-year-old in June to lead Team Canada, just weeks after he coached the Raptors to their first NBA title.

"One of the challenges we're going to have is to make sure we piece it together right," he told reporters of his vision for the team. "We're going to need scorers, role players, defenders, shot-blockers, we're going to have to piece it together so we can be versatile. Like with the Raptors, one series we were playing big, another series we were playing small."

Nurse expressed frustration in September after a number of the team's top players, including Jamal Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Andrew Wiggins and RJ Barrett, didn't participate in the FIBA World Cup:

"I think the biggest thing is I think we need an introduction, some of the guys need an introduction to the national team, right? I think the guys who are here right now have all played a little bit, continue to grow as they stay together. But some of the guys, I guess they need to find out why or why not they're going to play or commit to playing. If they're gonna play, it needs to be a five or six-year stretch.

"Because I think you could do something special with a group of guys who stick together for five or six years."

Canada has a lot of NBA talent available. Along with the aforementioned players, Canada could field a roster that includes Trey Lyles, Tristan Thompson, Cory Joseph, Khem Birch, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dillon Brooks, Brandon Clarke, Kelly Olynyk and Dwight Powell.

That team doesn't have the overall talent of the United States, but it has the ability to boast one of the best rosters in the world. Nurse plans to show up for Team Canada in Olympic qualifying. The question is which players will join him.

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri has said that he was the one attacked by a sheriff's deputy during the 2019 NBA Finals. 

Per The Athletic's Daniel Kaplan, Ujiri made the claim in response to litigation by Alan Strickland:

“As Mr. Ujiri attempted to enter the court, Mr. Strickland assaulted him, forcefully shoving him back once and then twice. Mr. Ujiri then shoved Mr. Strickland in the chest. Other than the shoves, the two men did not have any further physical contact with each other. The entire encounter between Mr. Strickland and Mr. Ujiri was brief. Mr. Ujiri was eventually escorted to the court where he joined his team, accepted the championship trophy, and gave a live on camera interview.”

Strickland, an Alameda County sheriff's deputy who worked security at Oracle Arena for Game 6 of the NBA Finals last summer, filed a lawsuit against Ujiri and the Raptors in February. 

In the lawsuit, Strickland claimed Ujiri "hit him in the face and chest with both fists" as he was trying to check Ujiri's security credentials following Toronto's 114-110 victory over the Golden State Warriors to win the NBA championship. 

The Alameda County District Attorney's Office declined to press charges against Ujiri despite a battery charge being recommended by the Alameda Police Department. 

Ujiri has been with the Raptors organization since the 2013-14 season, when he was hired as executive vice president and general manager. The team promoted him to president of basketball operations after the 2015-16 season. 

A Twitter question posed by The Athletic about sports memorabilia led to one person finding out an old program believed to have been signed by Vince Carter wasn't signed by the eight-time All-Star.

The Athletic asked fans to post pictures of their most random pieces of sports memorabilia, leading to this unfortunate moment for podcast host Tas Melas:

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but that’s not my signature that’s Alvin Williams autograph... https://t.co/vxgI6VzVgb

— Vince Carter (@mrvincecarter15) April 1, 2020

But the origin of the mysterious autograph goes even deeper because Alvin Williams denied being the one who signed the program:

That’s not my signature bro!! 😂😂. Looks like John Wallace’s

— Alvin Williams (@20_awill) April 1, 2020

Despite the massive confusion about whose autograph that is, Melas at least seemed to be a good sport about the whole thing:

But I bought this in December of 1998! https://t.co/vi2lzZkROY

— Tas Melas (@TasMelas) April 1, 2020

Alvin Williams had a solid 10-year NBA career from 1997 to 2007. He spent eight-plus seasons with the Toronto Raptors, averaging 9.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in 417 games.

John Wallace had the best season of his seven-year career with the Raptors in 1997-98, the year before Carter was drafted. He averaged 14.0 points and 4.5 rebounds in 82 games.

Those are solid numbers for two little-known role players, though Carter's autograph would certainly be worth much more given his status as a future Hall of Famer.

Masai Ujiri and Nick Nurse have established themselves among the best executive-coach duos in the NBA, but neither one has discussed a new contract with the Toronto Raptors.  

Per The Athletic's Eric Koreen, Ujiri confirmed on a conference call Wednesday that neither he nor Nurse have talked with the team about their contracts. 

Ujiri also noted now isn't the time to have those discussions: "No. it's not kind of where our minds are right now. It's a crucial time for the world. Those things will come. Last thing on my mind. I miss the game ... concerned for the world."

Nurse is in the second year of a three-year deal he signed to become Toronto's head coach in June 2018. The Iowa native led the Raptors to their first NBA championship in his first season leading the franchise. 

Prior to being promoted to head coach, Nurse served as an assistant for five seasons under Dwane Casey. He spent two years coaching the Rio Grande Valley Vipers from 2011-13, winning the D League championship in 2012-13. 

Ujiri has one more season remaining on his deal, but the 49-year-old is frequently mentioned as one of the most-sought after executives.

On June 13, 2019, the same day Toronto defeated the Golden State Warriors to win the NBA title, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Washington Wizards were preparing to offer Ujiri a deal worth $10 million per season and a potential ownership stake to run their basketball operations. 

SNY.tv's Ian Begley reported in December that the New York Knicks could pursue Ujiri if Scott Perry and Steve Mills were fired. Even though Mills was fired in February, the team appears to have moved on after hiring Leon Rose as president of basketball operations. 

Following Begley's report, Michael Grange of Sportsnet noted that Toronto's ownership group had not yet offered Ujiri a contract extension. 

Ujiri has been in the Raptors front office since 2013 when he was hired as executive vice president and general manager. He was named president of basketball operations in 2016 and relinquished the general manager role to Bobby Webster in June 2017.

The Raptors were the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 46-18 record when the regular season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Toronto Raptors' decision to trade fan-favorite and career-long member of the team DeMar DeRozan as part of the package that landed them Kawhi Leonard kicked off their 2019 championship run, but there doesn't seem to be any hard feelings from the USC product's perspective.

During a conversation with Pascal Siakam, DeRozan called Toronto's run to the championship during last year's playoffs "the best s--t ever":

“That was the best sh*t ever...”@DeMar_DeRozan on the Raptors NBA Finals run. All love. pic.twitter.com/OiFFn5T8Lk

— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) March 30, 2020

Toronto selected DeRozan with the No. 9 overall pick of the 2009 NBA draft, and he developed into a go-to scorer and part of an impressive duo alongside Kyle Lowry.

However, the pairing always came up short in the Eastern Conference playoffs and failed to make an NBA Finals during their time together. Part of that was because of LeBron James' dominance in the Eastern Conference, but Leonard put the Raptors over the top.

He captured the NBA Finals MVP during the win over the Golden State Warriors, but many of the players DeRozan played with—including his good friend Lowry—greatly contributed to the championship as well. 

DeRozan detailed how excited he was for his former team and surely cemented himself as an even bigger favorite for the Toronto fans who gave him a standing ovation when he returned as a member of the San Antonio Spurs.

The Toronto Raptors' traveling party has undergone testing for the coronavirus following news that Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, who the Raps faced last Monday, tested positive for the illness.

Those tests all came back negative. 

Per ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Raptors were one of five teams that needed to self-isolate because they played the Jazz over the past 10 days leading into Gobert's diagnosis.

The others include the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons.

Gobert was initially listed as questionable to play in his team's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday but was eventually ruled out due to illness.

The game was set to tip off in OKC on Wednesday, but players and officials were called off the court just prior to tip.

Later that evening, it was revealed that Gobert had tested positive for the coronavirus. Following a series of tests done for the Jazz, it was learned that teammate and shooting guard Donovan Mitchell also had the coronavirus.

There are no other known positive tests for other players at this time.

NBA play has been suspended in the midst of an ongoing worldwide pandemic.

Commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday that play would be halted for a minimum of 30 days but that the league wished to resume play "if and when it becomes safe for all concerned."

The Toronto Raptors sealed a berth in the 2020 NBA playoffs with a victory over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday.

Few fans expected the Raptors to suffer a precipitous drop following the offseason departures of Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. The nucleus of the roster remained, so Toronto had the pieces to return to the postseason.

BREAKING

Raptors clinch a playoff berth for the 7th straight season.

It’s the earliest date & game in franchise history where they have clinched a playoff spot#WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/Z19tYHgR5p

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) March 6, 2020

Not even the most diehard fans could've foreseen the success the Raptors have enjoyed in 2019-20, though. The team is 44-18 and 1.5 games up on the Boston Celtics for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Although they would be an underdog in a seven-game series against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Raptors have a genuine shot at repeating as conference champions.

According to NBA.com, Toronto ranks 12th in offensive rating (111.2) but second in defensive rating (104.9). It speaks both to head coach Nick Nurse and the players themselves that they could lose one of the NBA's elite defenders (Leonard) yet maintain an elite-level defense.

Nurse famously deployed a box-and-one defense in the 2019 NBA Finals to frustrate Stephen Curry. He has continued to rely on that tactic at times while throwing in a variety of other tactics as well.

Veteran center Marc Gasol praised Nurse's approach, per Sportsnet's Steven Loung:

"He's been very creative, unafraid and he's got the conviction to just try new things. It's not always going to be perfect, but we're going to scramble around and we believe in what we all do and we always have open minds as players and we understand what it's for.

"I always think it's good to have things in your back pocket just in case because it throws teams off rhythm, and I don't see why not, because basketball's also about creativity and trying different things."

In Pascal Siakam, the Raptors might also have the kind of scorer who can carry the offense in the playoffs.

Depth and offensive balance are great for managing the workload of the regular season. The postseason often requires somebody to lead the way, though. 

One reason Toronto toppled the Bucks in last year's Eastern Conference Finals was the way in which they stifled Giannis Antetokounmpo. The 2019 MVP averaged 22.7 points in the series, compared to 27.4 points in the first two rounds. His field-goal percentage also fell from 52.2 to 44.8.

The Raptors are counting on Siakam to have a Leonard-like role on offense, and it might not be a bad bet. The winner of the Most Improved Player award a year ago, he has taken another step in his fourth season.

Siakam entered play Thursday averaging 23.7 points while shooting 46.1 percent from the floor and 37.0 percent from beyond the arc.

The Raptors signed Siakam to a four-year, $130 million extension in the offseason, banking on him successfully taking over for Leonard as the franchise cornerstone. And he has done exactly that.

Toronto is effectively playing with house money. The team is playing better than projected, and no outcome in the playoffs—even a first-round exit—will be too deflating for the fanbase so soon after the 2019 title run.

Like many other franchises, the Raptors have cleared the decks for the 2021 offseason, when Antetokounmpo could headline the free-agent class. The Athletic's John Hollinger reported last October they'll likely be among the suitors for the Bucks star.

The next few months will show whether Toronto actually needs to go big-game hunting next year to win its second championship.