John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
How the New NBA CBA will Impact O.G. Anunoby & the Raptors Going Forward
The NBA's new collective bargaining agreement should help the Toronto Raptors, but not as much as they probably would have hoped.
The new agreement will reportedly include new salary cap rules, a tweaking of the veteran player extension rules, an additional two-way spot, a 65-game cutoff for regular season awards, and an in-season tournament effective next season, according to ESPN. Most notable for the Raptors is the extension change that will now permit players to sign extensions worth 140% of their current salary, an increase from the 120% maximum that had been in place under the previous CBA.
This veteran extension rule has been the hiccup in any possibility of an extension for O.G. Anunoby. His previous contract was so team-friendly that it's inhibited Toronto's ability to extend him long-term. At the 120% threshold of the previous CBA, Anunoby could only be signed for a maximum of four years, $100.2 million.
| Salary | |
|---|---|
Year 1 | $22.4 million |
Year 2 | $24.2 million |
Year 3 | $25.9 million |
Year 4 | $27.7 million |
Total | $100.2 million |
Under the new rules, though, Anunoby can sign an extension in Toronto for four-year $116.9 million, 140% of his $18.6 million deal in 2023-24 with $2.1 million increases each season.
| Salary | |
|---|---|
Year 1 | $26.1 million |
Year 2 | $28.2 million |
Year 3 | $30.3 million |
Year 4 | $32.4 million |
Total | $116.9 million |
That, however, may not be enough to extend the 25-year-old forward, especially if the rumors of his desire for a bigger offensive role on the team contain any validity. It does, though, give Toronto a little more wiggle room to discuss an extension with Anunoby as he heads into what will likely be his final year under contract with the team. He has a player option in 2024-25 with $19.9 million that he will almost certainly opt out of.
Unfortunately for the Raptors, the rule changes will come too late to sign Fred VanVleet to an extension. VanVleet has been eligible for a four-year, $114 million deal that he and the organization have mutually agreed not to sign, VanVleet said earlier in the season. The new CBA rules would allow VanVleet to sign for a maximum of four years, $143.2 million. At this point in the season, he's unlikely to sign an extension with his upcoming free agency just months away.
Two-Way Players
The additional two-way slot gives Toronto another developmental player to add to the organization. The Raptors found success this season with Jeff Dowtin Jr. on a two-way deal and his contract is likely to be converted to a standard NBA contract before the end of the season.
Two-way players are only allowed to be active for a maximum of 50 NBA games each season and are prohibited from playing in the postseason.
In-Season Tournament
The details of the in-season tournament have yet to be fully unveiled but it sounds like select regular-season games will count toward the in-season tournament schedule. Each player on the winning team will reportedly receive a $500 thousand bonus, per The Athletic.
Further Reading
Nick Nurse says he'll "reflect" on his future as inconsistency plagues Raptors in loss to 76ers
Raptors play coy with game plan for Joel Embiid but litmus test awaits in Philly
Pascal Siakam shares his thoughts on Kyle Lowry: 'He's my beloved'
