NBA 2018-19: The 3 Worst contracts on the Toronto Raptors roster

The Toronto Raptors made a major move during the 2018 offseason, as the franchise acquired two-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard. The 27-year-old missed most of the 17/18 season due to injury, although Leonard has proved his fitness in the early stages of the season and the former Spurs man is now firmly in the MVP conversation.

The Raptors themselves have also made an impressive start to the 18/19 season, and the team has recorded the most wins of the NBA season so far (27). Despite this, the Raptors are not exempt from having bad contracts, and here we will look at the worst three contracts that are currently on the roster.

#3 Serge Ibaka

Serge Ibaka is the third highest earner on the Toronto Raptors roster

At the beginning of 2017, Serge Ibaka was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Raptors, in exchange for Terrence Ross and a future first-round draft pick. In his 24 regular season games with the Toronto team during the 16/17 season, Ibaka averaged nearly 15 points per game while also boosting the Raptors defense.

Ibaka's performances were good enough to convince the Raptors to offer him a new three-year, $65 million contract, although this was a high price to pay for a player that has lost some of his agility in recent years.

Ibaka is no longer one of the best Defensive Players in the NBA, and a contract of around $10 million a year would have been more reasonable. Nevertheless, Ibaka is currently proving his doubters wrong, as the Congolese forward is currently recording 16.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. Ultimately, Ibaka has been great for the Raptors, although it remains to be seen if he can keep up his current form.

#2 C.J. Miles

Toronto Raptors veteran, C.J. Miles is currently having the worst season of his career

C.J. Miles was able to make a positive impact from the Toronto Raptors bench during the 17/18 season, although he has struggled to have the same impact in the early stages of the current season. Miles is currently playing just 15.1 minutes per game, and this is his lowest playing time for more than a decade.

The 31-year-old's points-per-game total this season is nearly half (5.1) of his career average (9.6), and Miles is also shooting a career-low .302 from the field. While the Raptors would like to move the veteran on, Miles is currently in the second year of a three-year, $25 million contract that he signed with the team in 2017.

Due to this, the veteran will stick around until at least the end of the season, however, Miles' ability to play at small forward, shooting guard and point guard could prove useful if the Raptors suffer a number of injuries.

#1 Norman Powell

Norman Powell looks to be a costly mistake

Norman Powell was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks back in 2015, although he was subsequently traded to the Toronto Raptors. While Powell was a late second-round draft pick, he has managed to successfully establish himself with the Raptors during his three seasons with the team.

The 25-year-old's best season with the Raptors came during the 16/17 season, as Powell averaged 8.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. Powell even managed to break into the starting five during the 2017 playoffs, and the forward went on to average a career-high 11.7 points-per-game. Due to his breakout postseason performances, Powell was rewarded with a new four-year, $42 million contract extension with the Raptors.

In retrospect, the Raptors decision to give a big contract to Powell looks like a mistake, as the player is averaging just 5.6 points-per-game this season. Ultimately, the Raptors would like to get rid of Powell's contract, although it will be hard to find a team willing to take it on.