This offseason makes it clear: the Raptors want Giannis

Breaking news (not really): the Toronto Raptors want Giannis Antetokounmpo. Bending news: so does every other basketball team on planet Earth. But what’s less malleable than the latter report is that the Raptors have begun to make tough decisions this offseason, indicating that they are all-in on bringing the Greek Freak to the North side.

It has been six days since the Milwaukee Bucks presented Giannis with an five-year contract worth $257 million – a number unfathomable to most people, and enough money to make a good person turn evil. It has also been six days since Giannis has left that offer sheet sitting on his desk at home. Rather than putting pen to paper and securing a quarter of a billion dollars, Antetokounmpo has been working out, spending time with his brothers, and starting livestreams on Instagram to flaunt his fandom for Justin Bieber.

If Giannis does want to sign his supermax extension, he will have until December 21st of this year to do so. That would effectively keep the two-time MVP locked up in Milwaukee for the next six years, and he would not hit free agency until 2026. However, the most recent reports state that after the Bucks plans to acquire Bogdan Bogdanovic fell through, their hopes of signing Giannis to said extension have crumbled unisonly. If Giannis opts not to extend his contract, he will have the opportunity to sign an identical deal next summer, or even explore the option of going to another team – perhaps, the Raptors.

That is exactly the gamble that Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster have taken this offseason. The Raptors did not lose out on re-signing Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka to the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers respectively because they provided an inferior opportunity. The mere reason why Gasol and Ibaka are not coming back to Toronto is because the Raptors were unwilling to sacrifice their financial flexibility next summer. By only offering Ibaka a one-year deal worth $12 million, the Raptors left the door open for him to flee in favour of his own financial security. Similarly with Gasol, the Lakers were willing to provide him with a fully-guaranteed two-year deal, whereas the Raptors would have been reluctant to give him more than one.

Ultimately, these decisions will hurt the Raptors next season. Going from a big man rotation that consists of Gasol and Ibaka, to one which necessitates Alex Len or Chris Boucher playing significant minutes is a downgrade. Many have gone as far as to say that the 2020-2021 season will be a “bridge year” for the Raptors – one in which they take a step back from competing, and hope to be good again the following season. It won’t be that. The Raptors will still be a very good regular season team, and should make some noise in The Playoffs.

What these moves do say loud and clear however, is that they want Giannis Antetokounmpo next summer. Up until this point, many of the rumours regarding Giannis coming to play for the Raptors have been media-generated. Of course, there are palpable strings to grab at as well (i.e., the Bucks consistently failing to make it deep into The Playoffs, Giannis’ strong relationship with Masai Ujiri, his African connection with the likes of Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby, etc.), however this is the first time that the Raptors actions have spoken louder than the media’s rumblings. They have consciously worsened their roster for next season to preserve their chance at signing Giannis next summer. It’s a move that one doesn’t witness all the time in sports, but if it pays off, it makes the decision makers look like geniuses.

By paying a high price to maintain their maximum contract slot next summer, the Raptors have let it be known: they are going to do everything within their power to make sure Giannis plays in Toronto.