After losing Kawhi Leonard to the LA Clippers in free agency, the Toronto Raptors currently have no plans to move Kyle Lowry, Marc Gasol or Serge Ibaka, according to Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports.
The Raptors have no plans to trade vets Kyle Lowry, Marc Gasol or Serge Ibaka (all on expiring deals) ahead of the season, I’m told. As he’s done previously, Masai is expected to give his team an opportunity to sink or swim before choosing a path and deciding on its future.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) July 10, 2019
Lowry, Gasol and Ibaka are set to become unrestricted free agents next summer. For now, the expectation is for the Raptors to run it back — minus Leonard and Danny Green, of course, both of whom left the team in free agency — to see what they're capable of.
Lowry, Gasol and Ibaka will be Toronto's three-highest paid players next season. Lowry will make $33.3 million compared to $25.6 million for Gasol and $23.3 million for Ibaka.
There's no knowing what the market would look like for each of them, but Lowry, Gasol and Ibaka proved last season that they're more than capable of making a difference on a title contending team. There will likely be interest from teams around the league that believe they're a point guard or centre away from making a run in the playoffs.
Lowry has been with the Raptors since the 2012-13 season. He's developed into a five-time All-Star with the team and a one-time member of the All-NBA Third Team. Gasol joined the team this past season from the Memphis Grizzlies, whereas Ibaka was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Raptors in the second half of the 2016-17 season.
The three played a key role in the Raptors winning their first-ever championship last season.