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#2 Aron Baynes
The Toronto Raptors have had their fair share of issues in the paint this year, ranking in the bottom eight teams for defensive and offensive rebounds allowed. On offense, only 39% of their total points came in the area, the fourth-fewest in the NBA.
Losing Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol proved to be pivotal to the franchise, who only two years earlier had relied so heavily on both in their championship run. Aron Baynes was brought in, however, failing to continue the consistent form he showed in Phoenix last year.
At 34, Baynes is on the wrong side of an NBA athlete's lifespan in the league and the Toronto Raptors would do well to look for a younger, more athletic replacement. The New Zealand native averaged just six points and five rebounds this year and shot at 70% from the free-throw line.
#1 Kyle Lowry
One veteran on the Toronto Raptors team with whom the fanbase will not want to part ways with is Kyle Lowry. The diminutive point guard will go down as one of the, if not the, greatest players in franchise history when he does leave. Since he became a free agent in the summer and there was considerable interest for him at the trade deadline, it seems inevitable that that time has come.
The Raptors will be keen to look to the future of their backcourt with Gary Trent Jr. and Fred VanVleet. Furthermore, Lowry could still demand another big contract this year, whether it be a one or two-season deal, something they may want to avoid paying.
Nevertheless, the decision is not final and Lowry could stick around in Toronto. He has built a life there, a legacy and has built a great relationship with President Masai Ujiri. Of course, Ujiri's future is also unknown and should he leave it wouldn't be surprising if Lowry followed.
The 35-year-old will garner a lot of interest in the free agency market, though. He has previously stated he wants to play on a championship-chasing side which the Toronto Raptors are not currently. That could pave the way for the Philadelphia 76ers to swoop in or the Miami Heat.
