NBA 2019-20: Assessing the 3 Worst contracts on the Toronto Raptors roster

The Toronto Raptors entered the offseason as NBA champions for the first time in franchise history. However, Toronto's worst fears were realized when Kawhi Leonard opted to leave the organization after just one season as he headed home to his native Los Angeles.

Danny Green also left for The City of Angels in free agency, and the Raptors now face a difficult season as they look to defend their 2019 title. Nevertheless, the organization has yet to hit the reset button and will enter the new season with the aim of contending in the Eastern Conference. The front office's stance could still change as the season advances, and here we will look at the three worst deals on the Raptors' roster.

#3 Kyle Lowry

Kyle Lowry's future with the Raptors has been called into question

Kyle Lowry was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 24th overall pick in the 2006 NBA draft and went on to spend two and a half seasons with the team before being traded to the Houston Rockets. Lowry spent three years with the Rockets, establishing himself as a starter for the first time in his career before being traded to Toronto in the summer of 2012.

In Toronto, Lowry has established himself as an All-Star and played a huge role in the team's 2019 title-winning playoff run. However, Lowry turned 33 earlier this year and will earn $33 million over the upcoming final year of his current deal. Lowry will also be looking to sign a new potentially expensive contract, and it is difficult to see how a fading All-Star fits into Toronto's future. Ultimately, Lowry is still an excellent point guard, although his $33 million annual salary is among the most inflated in the NBA.

#2 Marc Gasol

Marc Gasol joined from the Memphis Grizzlies back in February

Back in 2015, Marc Gasol re-signed with the Memphis Grizzlies on a five-year maximum contract worth $110 million. At the time, Gasol was coming off a season where he had made his second All-Star appearance, and the Spaniard was expected to see out his future in Memphis alongside Mike Conley.

However, Gasol's game started to decline after an excellent 16-17 season, and the Grizzlies opted to send the veteran to Toronto ahead of the 2019 trade deadline. While Gasol helped the Raptors to win a first championship in franchise history, although the 34-year-old averaged less than 10 points per game for the first time in his career.

Gasol is signed with the Raptors for one more year after exercising his $25.6 million player option, and it is possible that the Raptors will look to offload the veteran ahead of the trade deadline.

#1 Norman Powell

Norman Powell has yet to develop into a key player for the Toronto Raptors

Norman Powell was selected with the 46th overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks but was quickly traded to the Toronto Raptors. Powell was initially assigned to Toronto's D-League affiliate, although the California native soon found a spot in the Raptors' rotation after injuries to Terrance Ross and James Johnson. Over the next 18 months, Powell established himself as Toronto's best reserve and was subsequently rewarded with a four-year, $42 million contract extension.

However, Powell's role has not expanded since he extended his contract back in 2017 - averaging just 15.9 minutes per game during Toronto's title-winning playoff run. Powell's impact on the court was also limited as he averaged just 6.5 points and 1.1 assists and at 26, his window to develop into a starter is quickly closing. Ultimately, Powell will earn $32 million over the next three seasons, and the length of the deal makes his contract the worst on the Raptors roster.