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5 Roster Moves The Toronto Raptors Need To Make

By Matthew Hallett

Apr 1, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) and guard DeMar DeRozan (10) look on during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Toronto beat Memphis 99-95. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) and guard DeMar DeRozan (10) look on during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Toronto beat Memphis 99-95. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) tries to dribble the ball past Cleveland Cavaliers forward Channing Frye (9) in game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) tries to dribble the ball past Cleveland Cavaliers forward Channing Frye (9) in game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Re-sign DeMar DeRozan

Of the two players with player options in their contracts this season, it is far more important to sign All-Star guard DeRozan to a long-term max deal than it is to sign backup center Biyombo to a costly deal.

With Biyombo’s performance in the playoffs just concluded, he is going to command a much greater price tag than his current $3 million deal. For this reason, unless Toronto can get him at a heavily discounted rate, they should let him walk and concentrate on DeRozan.

In 36.0 minutes a night, DeRozan averaged 23.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.1 steals. The 23.5 ppg was good enough for ninth in the NBA.

At 6-foot-7, DeRozan is also able to give Toronto flexibility with its lineups. He can play either shooting guard or small forward, depending on whether Toronto coach Dwane Casey wants to go big or small.

Also by re-signing DeRozan, Toronto will be sending a message to their other All-Star guard, Lowry.

Lowry has a player option in his contract for 2017-18 and while his 21.2 ppg was only good enough for 16th in the league, his 2.1 steals was fourth in the league and 6.4 assists was good  enough for 15th.

Toronto need these two playing together to stay at the top of the Eastern Conference.

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