Bobby Webster Explains Raptors' Offseason Plans & Goals for Free Agency

The Toronto Raptors want to bring Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr., and Jakob Poeltl back next season as they reveal their goals for free agency this summer

Aaron Rose | Jun 15, 2023

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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Toronto Raptors

Maybe the Toronto Raptors aren’t playing it coy with their offseason plans this summer.

There’s been plenty of chatter surrounding the Raptors and their unclear direction for the future. Will they or won’t they head toward a rebuild or retooling around Scottie Barnes? Will they sell off assets and make some franchise-altering deal? Those within the league are reportedly confused by what Toronto plans to do.

Maybe they should just listen.

“We want all Fred, Gary, and Jak back. I think it’s been clear from the end of the season and the team’s play toward the end of the year,” Raptors general manager Bobby Webster said on TSN’s First Up. “We have conversations with them but can’t have the official conversations until July 1.”

It’s entirely possible one or two of those upcoming free agents, Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr., in particular, price themselves out of Toronto’s budget. It’s possible one of those players just chooses to play somewhere else, heading for a better team or bigger opportunity.

But the Raptors are publicly divulging their plans: They want to bring their key players back.

Will the Raptors put the “full court press” on VanVleet to keep him with Toronto, one TSN radio personality asked?

“100 percent,” Webster said. “Always in communication with Fred and his agent. … Obviously, he’s earned the right to be a free agent. He’s been with us forever. Great relationship and, yeah, hope to continue that.”

There will be some salary cap gymnastics to be done if Toronto is serious about bringing back all three free agents while keeping Pascal Siakam, O.G. Anunoby, and Scottie Barnes under contract.

The Raptors have at least $93.6 million committed to next year’s roster without any free agents signed. Add to that $65 to $70 million for those three free agents, not to mention final roster spots or the No. 13 pick, and you’re awfully close to hitting the luxury tax of $162 million, a threshold Toronto is unlikely to cross for next season.

Maybe Webster was sending out a smoke screen. Maybe Toronto will pivot this summer and opt against bringing back the same core that went 41-41 last season. Or maybe this isn’t some complex plan of deception.

Webster is revealing what the Raptors hope to do this summer. You might as well listen.

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