Potential interest in key reserve could quickly spell disaster for Raptors

Most Raptors starters and key players remain under contract for the next few seasons, including Scottie Barnes through 2029-30 and Immanuel Quickley through 2028-29. Brandon Ingram has another season plus a player option for 2027-28, while RJ Barrett’s deal extends beyond next season. Collin Murray-Boyles has one more year and a team option. Sandro Mamukelashvili holds a player option for 2026-27 and could opt out to seek free agency and potentially higher pay. If he declines his $2.8 million option, Toronto would likely need to use its $15 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception, but spending over $6 million would hard-cap the team at the first apron. Mamukelashvili’s value includes productive regular-season scoring, rebounding, playmaking, and strong 3-point shooting, though his playoff shooting dropped.

"Most of the Raptors' starters and key players are still under contract for the next few seasons. Scottie Barnes is signed through the 2029-30 season, Immanuel Quickley's contract lasts until the end of the 2028-29 season, Brandon Ingram still has another season and a player option for the 2027-28 season, RJ Barrett's contract doesn't end until after next season, and Collin Murray-Boyles has one more year and a team option coming up."

"ESPN's Bobby Marks noted in his offseason guide for the Raptors, "If Mamukelashvili declines his $2.8 million player option, Toronto would likely need to dip into its $15 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception. However, if they use more than $6 million, Toronto hard caps itself at the first apron.""

"The Raptors have the ability to pay Mamukelashvili more than his player option would be worth, but that doesn't erase any competition from financially more flexible teams that could try to outbid Toronto-and there might be a few. Mamukelashvili made BleacherReport's Grant Hughes's list of "5 Bargain-Bin Free Agents Who Could Help Every NBA Team" -and for good reason. Teams are always looking for stretch bigs that don't cost a fortune."

"The 26-year-old big averaged 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game over 80 regular-season games. It was his most productive season yet, and his 3-point shooting was a premium on a roster so short on outside threats. Mamu sank 38.9% of his 3.7 attempts per game. Ja'Kobe Walter was the only Raptor who matched his volume and shot a better percentage."

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