Despite posting their best regular-season campaign in franchise history, the Toronto Raptors enter the 2018 off-season with plenty of questions and little in the way of concrete answers.

The team is still in search of a new head coach after firing Dwane Casey in the aftermath of its second consecutive playoff collapse, and boast a roster whose star players and key supporting cast members fell short when called upon in the most crucial moments of the season.

To complicate matters, the Raptors are currently projected to enter the 2018-19 season with just over $127 million in contracts, which would put them over the league-wide luxury tax threshold of $123 million. Not only does that mean the Raptors would be paying significant dollars in luxury tax, but going over that threshold also impacts the amount of the team’s mid-level exception (MLE), a once per year provision that allows teams to go over the cap to sign a free agent.

Expect team president Masai Ujiri and the Raptors front office to be actively engaged in the trade market this summer, but given the fact high-salaries likely hurt their trade value with their performance in the playoffs, it could be very difficult to make major changes, and remain competitive, via trades.

That means there’s a chance the only way, or most realistic way, for the Raptors to make changes and add to their roster is by using the mid-level exception. The dollar amount of the MLE is based on whether or not a team is above that luxury cap threshold.

If the Raptors renounce the contracts of pending free agents like Lucas Nogueira and Fred VanVleet, they could land under the tax threshold and have in the ballpark of $8 million to use with their MLE. If not, that number drops to roughly $5 million.

The lingering decision regarding VanVleet, well, lingers over the team. As a restricted free agent, the Raptors will have the opportunity to match any offer, but depending on the market for the Sixth Man of the Year nominee, could be easily priced out. Re-signing VanVleet will almost surely put Toronto over the luxury tax threshold and will impact their MLE.

With all of that in mind, here’s a look at potential targets the Raptors can sign this summer using all or part of their mid-level exception.

Nemanja Bjelica, PF/C

They made huge strides in the regular season but one thing the playoffs revealed is that the Raptors are in need of more reliable three-point shooting. Their 9.5 threes per game in the second round were fewest of all teams, and the lack of multiple three-point threats made it extremely difficult to climb back after falling behind by any significant amount.

Bjelica is a stretch-four with both size and shooting ability (yes, it’s a role Serge Ibaka was supposed to fill, but he made less than one three-pointer and shot 30 per cent from deep versus Cleveland and proved hard to rely upon), and will be a restricted free agent following a decent campaign with Minnesota.

There’ll probably be plenty of suitors looking for a stretch big who are willing to roll the dice with Bjelica, and because of their financial constraints the Raptors will have to avoid a bidding war for any of the players on this list.

Doug McDermott, F

McDermott never lived up to expectations following a stellar collegiate career. The 11th overall pick in 2014 has bounced around, playing for four teams in as many seasons. But the sharp-shooting forward is coming off a quietly strong season from beyond the arc on a forgettable Dallas Mavericks team. He was traded from the New York Knicks to the Mavs at the deadline, and proceeded to shoot 49.4 per cent from deep while playing over 22 minutes per game in 26 appearances in Dallas.

Isaiah Thomas, PG



It’s hard to imagine Thomas being the answer in Toronto, but following a disappointing season with Cleveland and the Los Angeles Lakers, the former all-star is expected to be available for a bargain this summer. He’s rumoured to be potentially willing to sign with a team for the MLE and spend next season rebuilding his value while attempting to return to his 20-plus point-per-game form.

Jerami Grant, F

Grant had his moments with the Oklahoma City Thunder last season and would make an impact on the Raptors as a defensive specialist with the potential to be a primary defender on marquee wing scorers and can play either forward spot.

Michael Beasley, F

He can stretch the floor a bit and remains a capable scorer in the front court, but Beasley is more likely to pursue a pay day on a rebuilding team with ample cap space following a surprisingly strong season with the Knicks. His inclusion on the list is less about fit in Toronto and more about my ongoing, now decade-long quest to get Cool Beas in a Raptors uniform.

Joe Harris, G

Harris shot over 41 per cent from beyond the arc for Brooklyn and averaged double-digit scoring for the first time last season. His 30-point outburst against the Cleveland Cavaliers late in the season shows his potential, but Harris slots as a shot-making role player off the bench.

Marco Belinelli, G/F

It’s been nine years since Belinelli last put on a Raptors uniform. His skill-set remains the same (3-point shooting specialist) but he’s gained plenty of playoff experience in the years since. The 32-year-old proved he still has plenty left in the tank during the Philadelphia 76ers’ playoff run that ended last month.

Arron Afflalo, SG

A rumoured trade buyout candidate linked to the Raptors in February, Afflalo is coming off a down year with Orlando. His playing time was cut by more than half, seeing the floor for just 12 minutes per game on a rebuilding Magic club, but the 32-year-old veteran is playoff-tested and only a year removed from shooting over 40 per cent from deep.

Kevon Looney, F

Looney has been a stellar reserve for the Golden State Warriors this post-season, and should command some attention in free agency this summer as a result. The third-year big man is averaging over 20 minutes in the playoffs, and is smart and active on both ends of the floor. There would be a log jam between Looney, Ibaka and Pascal Siakam, but if the Raptors move one of their existing big men, Looney could be an effective and affordable replacement.