Toronto Raptors: Playing buy or sell with 2017 free agents

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Apr 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward PJ Tucker (2) reacts after making a basket against the Milwaukee Bucks in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Milwaukee defeated Toronto 97-83. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

P.J. Tucker

P.J. Tucker was acquired by Toronto from Phoenix for Jared Sullinger. He is a 3-and-D wing who was likely brought aboard to guard LeBron James in the playoffs. LeBron hardly noticed he was there, as he averaged 36 points per game and Tucker didn’t play enough until it was too late and Cleveland had swept Toronto.

Tucker is already 32 years old, and his short ceiling is only going to become shorter from this point. The Raptors have a lot of young, interesting prospects like OG Anunoby, Delon Wright, Norman Powell and Pascal Siakam. The Raptors should make room for the young players to receive more minutes and then plan for the future from there. Let P.J. Tucker go.

Toronto may also benefit from trading away DeMar DeRozan’s $27 million and Jonas Valanciunas’ $15 million dollar salary and rebuilding the Raptors through the draft. By clearing some cap space, Toronto could also make a run at Russell Westbrook or DeMarcus Cousins, who will be free agents in 2018.

Next: 2017 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far

This team is not a title contender and re-signing the core will only delay the inevitable rebuild that will have to take place a few years from now. Why waste DeRozan’s prime years? Trade him away now while he is still extremely valuable, aim for promising young talent in return and let Lowry, Ibaka and Tucker all walk this summer.

Verdict: Let Tucker walk

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