Ujiri: Raptors have to 'get creative' to retain DeRozan, Biyombo
It would appear, at first glance, that the Toronto Raptors are in a better position to re-sign DeMar DeRozan this summer than Bismack Biyombo.
DeRozan, while fully expected to opt out of his contract this summer, can re-up with the Raptors on a new max deal, including a fifth year he can't get anywhere else. In addition to that, most signs have pointed to the 27-year-old swingman wanting to return to the only NBA city he's called home.
Biyombo is a different situation.
After only increasing his stock with his high-energy play during the Raps' deep playoff run, the Congolese center is expected to have numerous suitors. And unlike with DeRozan, Toronto does not hold the Bird Rights that allow them to go above and beyond the salary cap in order to retain his services.
Raps GM Masai Ujiri admitted Monday that it will require being creative.
"When I look at DeMar or Biyombo ... we're proud of those guys and we want to bring them back," Ujiri said at his season-ending media availability. "Sometimes those things are challenging and difficult, but it's our jobs to figure it out."
Related: Biyombo would consider hometown discount to stay with Raptors
Biyombo earned a bargain-basement salary of around $3 million this season, and should now get about five times that on the open market. Ujiri says that he believes the players have a strong degree of loyalty to the Raptors.
"Our guys have said they want to be here," he said. "You build your culture and build your team. We have to get creative."
In terms of positional needs, an obvious one for the Raptors is at power forward.
Thirty-six-year-old free-agent-to-be Luis Scola started most of the regular season, to only then be moved out of the rotation for a good chunk of the playoffs. With Biyombo and Jonas Valanciunas not particularly compatible on the floor at the same time - or, lacking a stretch game, interchangeable from the five to the four - Ujiri again harkened to creativity.
"The obvious one is the power forward position," he said. "It's a position where we really have to get creative there."