2019 NBA Free Agency – Live tracker, updated daily
Toronto Raptors:
July 1: No action yet for the NBA Champions and from a personal standpoint I have to vent about the fact I’ve listened to 20 to 30 TV personalities all state Kawhi is leaving (or should) for one of the LA teams. Not one suggested a sign and trade similar to what Kevin Durant, Kemba Walker, Kyrie Irving, and Jimmy Butler (is attempting to do). Consider the fact all the aforementioned players leave their current clubs either having experienced frosty relationships, weren’t extended offers they considered fair or there were chemistry issues.
I could go on a full-on diatribe of why Leonard should (and I believe will ) return to the 6ix. Instead, I’ll do what I assume Masai Ujiri is – remain positive, keep the faith and await the decision of the uber talented, superstar to make his decision.
OKC Thunder fans should also be pulling for Leonard to either re-sign with the Raptors or stay in the East so they can avoid having to face the Finals MVP only twice a season. AND, so he doesn’t join one of the LA teams who’ll make it even more difficult for the Thunder to get into the playoffs and nail down a good seed.
July 1: The champs get in on the free agent action adding a player they’ve coveted for two years when he broke all their shooting records!. If you are a member of the paid for subscription The Athletic do yourself a favor and check out Blake Murphy’s article featuring the sniper.
It’s not Kawhi news, but it’s equally impressive and I can’t help but wonder why OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti couldn’t find a gem like this. Thomas shot 45.9 percent and 48.5 percent his last two seasons in Europe. No, it’s not the NBA but his shooting prowess has translated at every level. And even if his defense will be an initial issue having a sniper of his ability who Westbrook to whip wide open passes to would be such a treat. These guys are out there it’s just a matter of finding them.
July 3: Nope – no decision announcement or news – unless you consider Kawhi flew to Toronto on Raptors jet for meetings with his incumbent team. Doesn’t solidify his position, but it does mean all teams are still in the mix
July 6: The Kawhi Leonard decision occurred with the incumbent losing out as the superstar returns home and shakes the NBA up by also getting Paul George to request a trade to join him.
July 8: Terence Davis agrees to a 2-year deal
Raptors 2019 free agents:
Jeremy Lin
Patrick McCaw (Restricted)
Jodie Meeks
Eric Moreland
Free Agents Signed:
- Cameron Payne agrees to deal, July 17 (2-year deal, partial 1st year guarantee, opportunity to compete for reserve PG role presumably against Jordon Loyd). P
- Patrick McCaw re-signs with Raptors (no terms disclosed)
- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson agrees to a 1-year deal on July 7, (no terms disclosed)
- Stanley Johnson agrees to deal on July 6, (2-year, $7.5M)
- Masai lands another standout in EuroLeague guard Matt Thomas, July 1, (3-year, $4.2M)
Free Agent Exits:
- Kawhi Leonard agrees to sign with Clippers, July 6′
- Danny Green agrees to deal with Lakers, July 6
Trades:
- None yet
2019 Roster Depth:
- OG Anunoby
- Chris Boucher
- Terence Davis
- Marc Gasol (opted in)
- Serge Ibaka
- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
- Stanley Johnson
- Kyle Lowry
- Jordan Loyd
- Patrick McCaw
- Malcolm Miller
- Cameron Payne
- Norman Powell
- Pascal Siakam
- Matt Thomas
- Fred VanVleet
Draft Picks:
- Dewan Hernandez
- Sagaba Konate (signed to 2-way contract immediately following 2019 draft)