Raptors President Masai Ujiri Discusses Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam Contract Talks

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri said Saturday during the team's media day for the 2019-20 NBA season new contracts for point guard Kyle Lowry and power forward Pascal Siakam are a top priority.

"No question," Ujiri told reporters about Lowry's situation being different because of his longtime contributions leading up to last season's NBA championship. "He definitely deserves that. There's legacy status for him."

He added there's already been discussions with Siakam's agent: "Whether it's going to be this fall or this summer, he's definitely someone we're going to keep here (long-term)."

The Raptors are in a unique place. Rarely does a defending champion head into the following season with so little attention, but the departure of superstar forward Kawhi Leonard to sign with his hometown Los Angeles Clippers has left the reigning champs well off the radar.

Yet Toronto still features a strong foundation with Lowry, Siakam and Marc Gasol alongside plenty of depth, led by Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Norman Powell and Serge Ibaka.

Add in a wide-open Eastern Conference and the Raptors definitely possess sleeper appeal, especially if they're able to add another star before the trade deadline.

Caesars Sportsbook lists Toronto with the seventh-best odds to win the East at +1800. The Milwaukee Bucks (-125) are the favorite followed by the Philadelphia 76ers (+150).

It's a key season for the Raptors because their roster could look dramatically different by the start of the 2020-21 campaign.

Lowry, Gasol, VanVleet and Ibaka are all scheduled to become unrestricted free agents after the season. Siakam is a pending restricted free agent.

That puts a lot of pressure on Ujiri and general manager Bobby Webster to keep the Raptors' other key pieces in place after watching Leonard leave for L.A.