Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2020: 5 teams with the most to lose

By Bryan Toporek

Montrezl Harrell, #5, LA Clippers, (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Montrezl Harrell, #5, LA Clippers, (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 02: Fred VanVleet #23 and Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors battle for a rebound with Luke Kornet #2 of the Chicago Bulls during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 02, 2020 in Toronto, 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 02: Fred VanVleet #23 and Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors battle for a rebound with Luke Kornet #2 of the Chicago Bulls during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 02, 2020 in Toronto, 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

3. Toronto Raptors

Weeks after winning their first-ever NBA title last season, the Toronto Raptors paid the price of their Kawhi Leonard gamble when he left to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers in free agency.

This offseason, a large portion of their championship core could follow Leonard out the door.

By averaging a career-high 17.6 points, 6.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 2.7 triples this season, Fred VanVleet established himself as the best point guard in this year’s free-agent class. While the Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns are set at point guard, a rebuilding team such as the New York Knicks or Detroit Pistons might be willing to throw a huge offer his way.

In the frontcourt, both Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka will join VanVleet as unrestricted free agents. The 35-year-old Gasol missed extended time this season and might not command more than some version of the mid-level exception, but the 30-year-old Ibaka could be of particular interest to a Miami Heat team that may be looking to bolster its championship upside and weaken a chief Eastern Conference competitor.

The Raptors defied expectations by maintaining their regular-season dominance after Leonard’s departure, but the playoffs could go a long way toward determining their future. If Toronto bows out prior to the conference finals, VanVleet, Gasol and/or Ibaka could decide to jump ship before the title window slams shut.

The Raptors may prefer to run back this core for one more season and then decide upon their future once Kyle Lowry‘s contract comes off their books in 2021, but they’ll need to get VanVleet, Gasol and Ibaka on board with that plan, too. Otherwise, they could go from an Eastern Conference powerhouse to a fringe playoff squad in the blink of an eye.

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