“It’s starting again.”

Those were the words from Toronto Raptors team president Masai Ujiri on the day he fired Dwane Casey, the longest-tenured in franchise history — and the only one with a winning record.

Ujiri hadn’t wasted any time; he announced Casey’s departure four days after the Raptors’ season was unceremoniously ended by LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. For the second year in a row the Raptors had entered the second round of the playoffs with a fighting chance. And for the second straight year they’d been swept without putting up much of a fight. No amount of regular-season success, it turned out, could alter a simple truth: Something had to change.

Of course, the 2017–18 season wasn’t all bad — despite its final outcome. In fact, it included the best regular-season campaign in franchise history. Facing fundamental questions about the way they played, the Raptors developed a modern offence while maintaining their top-level defence. The team won more games than the Golden State Warriors and finished with the No. 1 seed in their conference for the first time. All-stars DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry had their most effective seasons to date, bolstered by the deepest Raptors roster of all-time.

Yet the manner in which they were bounced by Cleveland raised questions about the sustainability of the current team — questions that it’s now up to you to find answers to.

Are the Raptors on the path to further success? Is the stench of playoff loss enough to abandon the long-term plan in favour of major, immediate changes? What does a front office do with a team that over-performed in the regular season and underperformed in the playoffs?

As you’re about to find out, there are no easy answers.

Toronto enters the off-season with 12 players under contract and $126 million on the books for 2018–19 — the fourth-highest projected payroll in the NBA and $25 million over the projected salary cap. The team also has no 2018 draft picks.

So, what would you do if you were at the helm of the Toronto Raptors this off-season?

The first move — firing Casey — has been made for you. From here, the cards are in your hands. Which Raptors adventure will you choose?

Make your choices by selecting your answers.

In choosing which direction you would like to go with your next bench boss there are two roads to travel: Promote internally or bring in an entirely new face to coach the team.

Casey assistants Nick Nurse and Rex Kalamian are options. Nurse is the man most responsible for devising the Raptors’ modernized offence, which ranked in the NBA’s top five. While Kalamian has ample playoff coaching experience from his time in Oklahoma City. Jerry Stackhouse, who’s spent the past two seasons leading the Raptors 905 to the G League Finals (and winning in 2017) is also a possibility. All three have extensive experience working with your young players and are established voices within the organization.

The external route may come with more system changes and a different approach your players will have to adjust to after seven seasons under Casey, but a fresh start might be what the team needs. Former Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer, ex-Hornets and Pelicans coach Monty Williams, and San Antonio Spurs assistant Becky Hammon are among your many options.

On the heels of two straight post-season collapses, do you need a new direction? Or will continuity and the opportunity to build upon what you developed last season lead to better results?

Where will you look for the next head coach of the Toronto Raptors?

(Click on your choice to move on.)

Now that you’ve decided who is behind the bench, it’s time to focus on the roster — and the decisions start at the top.

DeRozan is a 28 year-old four-time all-star who’s averaged at least 23 points per game for five straight seasons and still has the room and willpower to improve. Over nine seasons in Toronto, he has shown tremendous loyalty to the city and organization, and become the face of the franchise. And he’s compensated like one. In the summer of 2016, he signed a five-year extension worth $139 million. At the time it was the second-largest contract in league history, and it’ll earn DeRozan $27.7 million per season until the summer of 2021.

Having already established himself as one of the NBA’s top scorers, DeRozan put it all together this year. Asked to share the load and improve as a playmaker, he responded by averaging more than five assists for the first time in his career. He was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week five times (more than any other player) and was considered a top-10 MVP candidate for much of the year while leading the Raptors to 59 wins. During crunch-time of the 2018 All-Star Game, DeRozan was on the court as a member of the East’s best five — perhaps the biggest sign that he’d “made it” as a top-tier talent.

But the playoffs told a different story. DeRozan ran hot and cold, and worsened as the stakes rose. In the first round, he was stellar, averaging more than 26 points per game against Washington and tying a playoff career-high with 37 points in Game 2. In Round 2 against the Cavaliers, he was solid in the first two games at home but disappeared on the road. In the midst of Game 3, he was benched by Casey and didn’t play at all in the fourth quarter. In Game 4, he was ejected late in the third quarter, meaning he didn’t even see the floor during the most important 24 minutes of the season.

DeRozan is clearly a rare talent, and a perennial all-star for a reason, but can you compete for a title with him as your go-to player?

Before you decide, there’s one more catch to consider: You won’t get equal value for DeRozan on the trade market. He is paid handsomely and 29 other teams just watched his disappearing act. It’s unlikely one will be in a rush to send an all-star player back in return. That means that if you’re dead-set on moving DeRozan, your most realistic option is to find a team looking to add a big-name player and willing to offer some combination of draft picks, young talent, and cap relief in return. For example, the Los Angeles Clippers will have close to $40 million in cap space this summer and may feel adding a hometown star like DeRozan makes sense for their on-the-fly rebuild. The Clips have two late-lottery picks and could be convinced to part with one of them — along with a player like Tobias Harris — to make a deal work.

Whether to pull the trigger might be the hardest decision you make all summer. So, do you trade the face of the franchise?

Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan were the most iconic duo in franchise history. They formed arguably the East’s best backcourt, made multiple all-star teams together, and catapulted the Raptors back to relevance. Splitting them up wasn’t an easy call, but you didn’t let your emotions get in the way of making a major decision.

Trading DeRozan may have provided enough cap flexibility to be a little more active on the trade market. But are you after a bit of flexibility or a full-blown overhaul?

After inking a three-year extension last summer, Lowry tops the Raptors with an average annual salary of $33 million. At 32, he may be on the wrong side of his prime but he continues to produce at an all-star level. He’s a fierce competitor and, like DeRozan, sacrificed individual success for team glory last season, taking a slightly diminished role to allow the young guards behind him to flourish.

On paper, playing fewer minutes than any season other than his first in Toronto in 2012, allowed him to enter the playoffs rested and free of the wear-and-tear that has caught up to him in post-seasons past. In the Raptors’ first nine games Lowry averaged nearly 20 points, nine assists, and two steals while shooting 45 per cent from behind the arc. But in a do-or-die Game 4 against Cleveland, he scored five points and took just seven shots. How much does a single-game performance like that factor into your decision-making?

Lowry’s contract, age, and playoff performance will make him difficult to move, and the return is sure to be well below-value. There’s also one other important wrinkle to keep in mind: Backup point guard Fred VanVleet is a restricted free agent — you will have the opportunity to match any contract offered to him but risk being priced out in the process. That means trading Lowry could leave you with Delon Wright as your lone point guard for now.

So, do you trade Lowry and close the curtain on the best era in franchise history?

You’ve scoured the landscape and negotiated for weeks. But there just isn’t a viable trade for Lowry. The list of teams willing to pay a 32-year-old Lowry his age in millions is miniscule, and no organization on it can give you a decent player or picks in return.

Giving Lowry away for nothing is the kind of move that can set your franchise back for years. You’re better than that.

Being saddled with an all-star point guard, though? It could be a lot worse.

A third-string point guard to start the season, VanVleet transformed into a leader and valuable rotation piece, and led your 59-win team in fourth-quarter minutes played. That’s hard to replace.

When he was hurt during the playoffs, the team clearly suffered for it, and VanVleet certainly earned the raise teams are likely to throw at him as an RFA this summer. But with Lowry and Wright in the mix, you already have two point guards who warrant heavy minutes.

That said, VanVleet was highly effective when paired with either Lowry or Wright, so maybe that’s an avenue you want to revisit. Just remember: It’s going to cost you and, even with DeRozan gone, could put you deep into luxury-tax territory — at least for now.

So, do you re-sign VanVleet?

If change is what you wanted, congratulations!

You’ve gone in a new direction and hired externally to fill Dwane Casey’s seat on the bench. You’ve traded the face of the franchise, DeMar DeRozan, and re-signed a promising young player in Fred VanVleet.

Lowry remains on the roster, which could help you maintain a shot at the playoffs, but otherwise you’re tearing it down and focusing on your younger talent. Fortunately, you have a number of players on rookie deals who are worth building around — a luxury most teams in your position can’t claim — and landed a late-lottery pick in the DeRozan deal that could net you someone like Michigan State’s Miles Bridges.

In order to keep within the salary cap threshold, you’re going to have to try to move one or more of the Serge Ibaka, Jonas Valanciunas, and Norman Powell contracts, but given you’re embracing youth, you don’t need to be particularly selective in what you get back so long as you can free up some space.

Your team has done a great job developing talent over the past two years. You’ve decided it’s time to reap the benefits!

If change is what you wanted, congratulations!

You’ve gone in a new direction and hired externally to fill Dwane Casey’s seat on the bench. You’ve traded the face of the franchise, DeMar DeRozan, and let last year’s breakout, Fred VanVleet, walk for financial reasons.

Lowry remains on the roster, which could help you maintain a shot at the playoffs, but otherwise you’re tearing it down and focusing on your younger talent. Fortunately, you have a number of players on rookie deals who are worth building around — a luxury most teams in your position can’t claim — and landed a late-lottery pick in the DeRozan deal that could net you someone like Michigan State’s Miles Bridges.

Your team has done a great job developing talent over the past two years. You’ve decided it’s time to reap the benefits!

So, you’ve decided you’re better off with DeRozan. That makes sense. He’s still just 28, is on track to keep getting better, and his contract, significant as it is, remains relatively valuable compared to others who produce at his rate.

However, hanging on to him also keeps you at the salary cap threshold, impacting other decisions — like, say, whether you re-sign Fred VanVleet. VanVleet is a restricted free agent and you’ll have the opportunity to match any deal offered to him. But after a breakout season that saw him earn just over $1 million, he’s due for a hefty raise. Keeping DeRozan and re-signing VanVleet means going above the cap and into the luxury tax — if ownership is willing.

So, are you considering buying yourself some wiggle room by moving DeRozan’s co-captain?

After inking a three-year extension last summer, Lowry tops the Raptors with an average annual salary of $33 million. At 32, he may be on the wrong side of his prime but he continues to produce at an all-star level. He’s a fierce competitor and, like DeRozan, sacrificed individual success for team glory last season, taking a slightly diminished role to allow the young guards behind him to flourish.

On paper, playing fewer minutes than any season other than his first in Toronto in 2012, allowed him to enter the playoffs rested and free of the wear-and-tear that has caught up to him in post-seasons past. In the Raptors’ first nine games Lowry averaged nearly 20 points, nine assists, and two steals while shooting 45 per cent from behind the arc. But in a do-or-die Game 4 against Cleveland, he scored five points and took just seven shots. How much does a single-game performance like that factor into your decision-making?

Lowry’s contract, age, and playoff performance will make him difficult to move, and the return is sure to be well below-value. And remember: If you don’t re-sign VanVleet, that means Delon Wright becomes the lone point guard on your roster for now.

Lowry and DeRozan are the most iconic duo in franchise history. They form arguably the East’s best backcourt, have made multiple all-star teams together, and catapulted the Raptors back to relevance. But be it for financial or basketball reasons, does Lowry have to go?

You’ve scoured the landscape and negotiated for weeks. But there just isn’t a viable trade for Lowry. The list of teams willing to pay a 32-year-old Lowry his age in millions is miniscule, and no organization on said list can give you a decent player or picks in return.

Giving Lowry away for nothing is the kind of move that can set your franchise back for years. You’re better than that.

Being saddled with an all-star point guard, though? It could be a lot worse.

You’re keeping the band together and sticking with the Lowry and DeRozan core. Now it’s time to focus on the pieces surrounding them. But one major roadblock stands in the way of making improvements and addressing team needs: You don’t have a dime to spend in free agency.

If you’re looking to create some cap space, the contracts of three players stand out: Serge Ibaka, Jonas Valanciunas, and Norman Powell.

Ibaka was supposed to be the Raptors’ sought after ‘third star,’ bringing his versatile game, defensive IQ, and playoff experience to a team in need of all three. He signed a three-year, $65-million deal last summer, but once the playoffs rolled around, he struggled mightily. After a strong first game, he averaged just seven points and five rebounds while shooting 36 per cent from the floor for the remainder of the post-season. He’s being paid like a third star but hasn’t performed like one.

Valanciunas is coming off his best season yet. Having established himself as one of the more formidable low-post forces in the league, the 26-year-old could play an important role in your future plans. But he is set to earn $17 million next season and is still neutralized whenever opponents go small — something the NBA’s true contenders do better than anybody.

As for Powell — well, this one stings. His contract extension — four years and $42 million, beginning next season — looked good when it was signed prior to 2017-18. Powell was a starter on opening night, but an early season injury opened up an opportunity for rookie OG Anunoby, who seized it. Powell was out of the rotation by the playoffs, seeing just 40 minutes total across six games.

These three may still bring enough to the table for you to want to keep them around. Or you may feel that shedding their contracts via trade is the best way forward.

So, do you trade Ibaka, Valanciunas and/or Powell?

INTERIOR OF AN OFFICE — DAYTIME

YOU: Travis? Trav? Are ya — are ya still there, buddy?

And scene. Fact is, if you want a team to take on one of those hefty contracts, you’re going to need to sweeten the pot.

Your young players really opened eyes this season and proved they can contribute to a winner. Pascal Siakam, Jakob Poeltl and Delon Wright are held in high regard around the league and are among your most-wanted trade assets. Because you don’t have any draft picks to leverage this year, if you want to move a bigger contract, you’re likely going to have to include one or more of those players to make it happen.

Your bench was the surprise of the season. What was supposed to be a weakness — a group of second- and third-year players with low expectations — turned into a strength and played a major role in your regular-season success. Most teams would kill for the wealth of young talent you have.

Siakam, Poeltl, and Wright all figure to have a bright future in the NBA. That group hit some speedbumps in the playoffs but should benefit from the experience. They could be pieces you build around. And then there’s OG Anunoby, the rookie who proved to be one of your most consistent scorers in the second round and didn’t back down when tasked with guarding LeBron James. He is probably the closest thing you have to an untouchable asset.

Given their ages and bargain rookie-scale contracts, these players — not your all-stars— could hold the highest trade value on your roster. And because you don’t have the cap space to be a free-agent buyer, if you’re looking to acquire an established star, your best option may be to package one or more of these youngsters with one of those large contracts you were trying to move on its own.

There will be suitors. The Memphis Grizzlies, for example, are a team whose lack of high-level young up-and-comers is the only thing stopping them from giving in to a total rebuild. Memphis has established veterans like Marc Gasol to deal, and may even be willing to absorb one of your ugly contracts to make something happen.

So, do you parlay your developing assets into veteran talent?

Apparently you are both fiercely loyal to your players and entirely unconcerned with their recent playoff performances.

On the sidelines, you’ve gone in a new direction and hired externally to fill your coaching vacancy. But you’ve kept your core of DeRozan and Lowry intact. That means you still believe in this team and are going to do whatever it takes to gun for a title now while those two are still producing at all-star levels.

Your predecessor may have failed to land a bona fide third star, but you’ve seen The Negotiator and studied Sam Jackson’s techniques. You’re confident the Raptors have the right assets to leverage in a trade for an established vet with playoff experience.

Maybe you’ll have to get lucky and avoid facing LeBron James in the early playoff rounds, or maybe — just maybe — your team was just one major missing piece away this whole time.

So, you’re sticking with DeRozan and Lowry, and you see enough in the supporting cast to run it back for at least one more season? Apparently you’re a lover of continuity, but there are still opportunities to make changes — and thanks to the surprising success of your young players last season, you have valuable assets to leverage.

Your bench was the surprise of the season. What was supposed to be a weakness — a group of second- and third-year players with low expectations — turned into a strength and played a major role in your regular-season success. Most teams would kill for the wealth of young talent you have.

Siakam, Poeltl, and Wright all figure to have a bright future in the NBA. That group hit some speedbumps in the playoffs but should still benefit from the experience. They could be pieces you build around. And then there’s OG Anunoby, the rookie who proved to be one of your most consistent scorers in the second round and didn’t back down when tasked with guarding LeBron James. He is probably the closest thing you have to an untouchable asset.

Given their ages and bargain rookie-scale contracts, these players — not your all-stars— could hold the highest trade value on your roster. And because you don’t have the cap space to be a free-agent buyer, your best option may be to package one or more of these youngsters to pursue a veteran who can immediately help you win in the post-season.

You may have to include one of your veterans in order to make salaries match, but it’s a risk that could be worth taking. So, do you parlay your developing assets into veteran talent?

You think Dwane Casey was the only problem worth addressing. You’ve replaced him with a new voice, an external hire to come in and put his or her stamp on a team that remains the exact same on the court.

Best of luck with that.

Now that you’ve decided who is behind the bench, it’s time to focus on the roster — and the decisions start at the top.

DeRozan is a 28 year-old four-time all-star who’s averaged at least 23 points per game for five straight seasons and still has the room and willpower to improve. Over nine seasons in Toronto, he has shown tremendous loyalty to the city and organization, and become the face of the franchise. And he’s compensated like one. In the summer of 2016, he signed a five-year extension worth $139 million. At the time it was the second-biggest contract in league history, and it’ll earn DeRozan $27.7 million per season until the summer of 2021.

Having already established himself as one of the NBA’s top scorers, DeRozan put it all together this year. Asked to share the load and improve as a playmaker, he responded by averaging more than five assists for the first time in his career. He was named the Eastern Conferences’s Player of the Week five times (more than any other player) and was considered a top-10 MVP candidate for much of the year while leading the Raptors to 59 wins. During crunch-time of the 2018 All-Star Game, DeRozan was on the court as a member of the East’s best five — perhaps the biggest sign that he’d “made it” as a top-tier talent.

But the playoffs told a different story. DeRozan ran hot and cold, and worsened as the stakes rose. In the first round, he was stellar, averaging over 26 points per game against Washington and tying a playoff career-high with 37 points in Game 2. In Round 2 against the Cavaliers, he was solid in the first two games at home but disappeared on the road in Cleveland. In the midst of Game 3, he was benched by Casey and didn’t play at all in the fourth quarter. In Game 4, he was ejected late in the third quarter, meaning he didn’t even see the floor during the most important 24 minutes of the season.

DeRozan is clearly a rare talent, and a perennial all-star for a reason, but can you compete for a title with him as your go-to player?

Before you decide, there’s one more catch to consider: You won’t get equal value for DeRozan on the trade market. He is paid handsomely and 29 other teams just watched his disappearing act. It’s unlikely one will be in a rush to send an all-star player back in return. That means that if you’re dead-set on moving DeRozan, your most realistic option is to find a team looking to add a big-name player and willing to offer some combination of draft picks, young talent, and cap relief in return. For example, the Los Angeles Clippers will have close to $40 million in cap space this summer and may feel adding a hometown star like DeRozan makes sense for their on-the-fly rebuild. The Clips have two late-lottery picks and could be convinced to part with one of them — along with a player like Tobias Harris — to make a deal work.

Whether to pull the trigger might be the hardest decision you make all summer. So, do you trade the face of the franchise?

Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan were the most iconic duo in franchise history. They formed arguably the East’s best backcourt, made multiple all-star teams together, and catapulted the Raptors back to relevance. Splitting them up wasn’t an easy call, but you didn’t let your emotions get in the way of making a major decision.

Trading DeRozan may have provided enough cap flexibility to be a little more active on the trade market. But are you after a bit of flexibility or a full-blown overhaul?

After inking a three-year extension last summer, Lowry tops the Raptors with an average annual salary of $33 million. At 32, he may be on the wrong side of his prime but he continues to produce at an all-star level. He’s a fierce competitor and, like DeRozan, sacrificed individual success for team glory last season, taking a slightly diminished role to allow the young guards behind him to flourish.

On paper, playing fewer minutes than any season other than his first in Toronto in 2012, allowed him to enter the playoffs rested and free of the wear-and-tear that has caught up to him in post-seasons past. In the Raptors’ first nine games Lowry averaged nearly 20 points, nine assists, and two steals while shooting 45 per cent from behind the arc. But in a do-or-die Game 4 against Cleveland, he scored five points and took just seven shots. How much does a single-game performance like that factor into your decision-making?

Lowry’s contract, age, and playoff performance will make him difficult to move, and the return is sure to be well below-value. There’s also one other important wrinkle to keep in mind: Backup point guard Fred VanVleet is a restricted free agent — you will have the opportunity to match any contract offered to him but risk being priced out in the process. That means trading Lowry could leave you with Delon Wright as your lone point guard for now.

So, do you trade Lowry and close the curtain on the best era in franchise history?

You’ve scoured the landscape and negotiated for weeks. But there just isn’t a viable trade for Lowry. The list of teams willing to pay a 32-year-old Lowry his age in millions is miniscule, and no organization on it can give you a decent player or picks in return.

Giving Lowry away for nothing is the kind of move that can set your franchise back for years. You’re better than that.

Being saddled with an all-star point guard, though? It could be a lot worse.

A third-string point guard to start the season, VanVleet transformed into a leader and valuable rotation piece, and led your 59-win team in fourth-quarter minutes played. That’s hard to replace.

When he was hurt during the playoffs, the team clearly suffered for it, and VanVleet certainly earned the raise teams are likely to throw at him as an RFA this summer. But with Lowry and Wright in the mix, you already have two point guards who warrant heavy minutes.

That said, VanVleet was highly effective when paired with either Lowry or Wright, so maybe that’s an avenue you want to revisit. Just remember: It’s going to cost you and, even with DeRozan gone, could put you deep into luxury-tax territory — at least for now.

So, do you re-sign VanVleet?

After weighing the options to fill your coaching vacancy, you’ve promoted from within, keeping some semblance of consistency on the sidelines. Your rookie coach already has a rapport with your young core, which is nice considering you’ve pegged those players as the future of your team.

Trading DeRozan for pennies on the dollar was a necessary move in your eyes, but you’ll likely take a step back as a result. The deal landed you a late-lottery pick that could net someone like Michigan State’s Miles Bridges, and also helped clear some cap space. But re-signing VanVleet likely means you’re going to have to try to move one or more of the Ibaka, Valanciunas, or Powell contracts both to retain cap flexibility and open up more playing time for the young ‘uns.

Your team is now built for the future. And with Lowry still on the roster, you’ll remain competitive — likely still a playoff team even — despite hitting reset.

If change is what you wanted, congratulations!

Sure, you’ve promoted a familiar face in the organization to take over the coaching reins, but by trading DeRozan and letting VanVleet walk you’re making it clear as day that it’s time for a new direction.

You’re likely still going to try to move one or more of the Ibaka, Valanciunas, or Powell contracts. But given you’re embracing the youth movement, you don’t need to be particularly selective about what you get back so long as you can free up some cap space.

Lowry remains on the roster, which could help you maintain a shot at the playoffs, but otherwise you’re tearing it down and focusing on your younger talent. Fortunately, you have a number of players on rookie deals who are worth building around — a luxury most teams in your position can’t claim — and landed a late-lottery pick in the DeRozan deal that could net you someone like Michigan State’s Miles Bridges.

You’ve done a great job developing talent over the past two years. You’ve decided it’s time to reap the benefits!

So, you’ve decided you’re better off with DeRozan. That makes sense. He’s still just 28, is on track to keep getting better, and his contract, significant as it is, remains relatively valuable compared to others who produce at his rate.

However, hanging on to him also keeps you at the salary cap threshold, impacting other decisions — like, say, whether you re-sign Fred VanVleet. VanVleet is a restricted free agent and you’ll have the opportunity to match any deal offered to him. But after a breakout season that saw him earn just over $1 million, he’s due for a hefty raise. Keeping DeRozan and re-signing VanVleet means going above the cap and into the luxury tax — if ownership is willing.

So, are you considering buying yourself some wiggle room by moving DeRozan’s co-captain?

After inking a three-year extension last summer, Lowry tops the Raptors with an average annual salary of $33 million. At 32, he may be on the wrong side of his prime but he continues to produce at an all-star level. He’s a fierce competitor and, like DeRozan, sacrificed individual success for team glory last season, taking a slightly diminished role to allow the young guards behind him to flourish.

On paper, playing fewer minutes than any season other than his first in Toronto in 2012, allowed him to enter the playoffs rested and free of the wear-and-tear that has caught up to him in post-seasons past. In the Raptors’ first nine games Lowry averaged nearly 20 points, nine assists, and two steals while shooting 45 per cent from behind the arc. But in a do-or-die Game 4 against Cleveland, he scored five points and took just seven shots. How much does a single-game performance like that factor into your decision-making?

Lowry’s contract, age, and playoff performance will make him difficult to move, and the return is sure to be well below-value. And remember: If you don’t re-sign VanVleet, that means Delon Wright becomes the lone point guard on your roster for now.

Lowry and DeRozan are the most iconic duo in franchise history. They form arguably the East’s best backcourt, have made multiple all-star teams together, and catapulted the Raptors back to relevance. But be it for financial or basketball reasons, does Lowry have to go?

You’ve scoured the landscape and negotiated for weeks. But there just isn’t a viable trade for Lowry. The list of teams willing to pay a 32-year-old Lowry his age in millions is miniscule, and no organization on it can give you a decent player or picks in return.

Giving Lowry away for nothing is the kind of move that can set your franchise back for years. You’re better than that.

Being saddled with an all-star point guard, though? It could be a lot worse.

You’re keeping the band together and sticking with the Lowry and DeRozan core. Now it’s time to focus on the pieces surrounding them. But one major roadblock stands in the way of making improvements and addressing team needs: you don’t have a dime to spend in free agency.

If you’re looking to create some cap space, the contracts of three players stand out: Serge Ibaka, Jonas Valanciunas, and Norman Powell.

Ibaka was supposed to be the Raptors’ sought after ‘third star,’ bringing his versatile game, defensive IQ, and playoff experience to a team in need of all three. He signed a three-year, $65-million deal last summer, but once the playoffs rolled around, he struggled mightily. After a strong first game, he averaged just seven points and five rebounds while shooting 36 per cent from the floor for the remainder of the post-season. He’s being paid like a third star but hasn’t performed like one.

Valanciunas is coming off his best season yet. Having established himself as one of the more formidable low-post forces in the league, the 26-year-old could play an important role in your future plans. But he is set to earn $17 million next season and is still neutralized whenever opponents go small — something the NBA’s true contenders do better than anybody.

As for Powell — well, this one stings. His contract extension — four years and $42 million, beginning next season — looked good when it was signed prior to 2017–18. Powell was a starter on opening night, but an early season injury opened up an opportunity for rookie OG Anunoby, who seized it. Powell was out of the rotation by the playoffs, seeing just 40 minutes total across six games.

These three may still bring enough to the table for you to want to keep them around. Or you may feel that shedding their contracts via trade is the best way forward.

So, do you trade Ibaka, Valanciunas and/or Powell?

INTERIOR OF AN OFFICE – DAYTIME

YOU: Travis? Trav? Are ya — are ya still there, buddy?

And scene. Fact is, if you want a team to take on one of those hefty contracts, you’re going to need to sweeten the pot.

Your young players really opened eyes this season and proved they can contribute to a winner. Pascal Siakam, Jakob Poeltl and Delon Wright are held in high regard around the league and are among your most-wanted trade assets. Because you don’t have any draft picks to leverage this year, if you want to move a bigger contract, you’re likely going to have to include one or more of those players to make it happen.

Your bench was the surprise of the season. What was supposed to be a weakness — a group of second- and third-year players with low expectations — turned into a strength and played a major role in your regular-season success. Most teams would kill for the wealth of young talent you have.

Siakam, Poeltl, and Wright all figure to have a bright future in the NBA. That group hit some speedbumps in the playoffs but should benefit from the experience. They could be pieces you build around. And then there’s OG Anunoby, the rookie who proved to be one of your most consistent scorers in the second round and didn’t back down when tasked with guarding LeBron James. He is probably the closest thing you have to an untouchable asset.

Given their ages and bargain rookie-scale contracts, these players — not your all-stars — could hold the highest trade value on your roster. And because you don’t have cap space to be a free-agent buyer, if you’re looking to acquire an established star, your best option may be to package one or more of these youngsters with one of those large contracts you were trying to move on its own.

There will be suitors. The Memphis Grizzlies, for example, are a team whose lack of high-level young up-and-comers is the only thing stopping them from giving in to a total rebuild. Memphis has established veterans like Marc Gasol to deal, and may even be willing to absorb one of your ugly contracts to make something happen.

So, do you parlay your developing assets into veteran talent?

You’re bringing the band back!

Okay, on the sidelines you’ve made a change, but not a drastic one given you’re promoting from within the organization.

More importantly, you’ve kept the core of DeRozan and Lowry intact. That means you still believe in this team and are going to do whatever it takes to gun for a title while those two are still producing at all-star levels.

Your predecessor may have failed to land a bona fide third star, but you’ve seen The Negotiator and studied Sam Jackson’s techniques. You’re confident the Raptors have the right assets to leverage in a trade for an established vet with playoff experience.

Maybe you’ll have to get lucky and avoid facing LeBron James in the early playoff rounds, or maybe — just maybe — the Raptors were one major missing piece away this whole time.

So, you’re sticking with DeRozan and Lowry, and you see enough in the supporting cast to run it back for at least one more season? Apparently you’re a lover of continuity, but there are still opportunities to make changes — and thanks to the surprising success of your young players last season, you have valuable assets to leverage.

Your bench was the surprise of the season. What was supposed to be a weakness — a group of second- and third-year players with low expectations — turned into a strength and played a major role in your regular-season success. Most teams would kill for the wealth of young talent you have.

Siakam, Poeltl, and Wright all figure to have a bright future in the NBA. That group hit some speedbumps in the playoffs but should still benefit from the experience. They could be pieces you build around. And then there’s OG Anunoby, the rookie who proved to be one of your most consistent scorers in the second round and didn’t back down when tasked with guarding LeBron James. He is probably the closest thing you have to an untouchable asset.

Given their ages and bargain rookie-scale contracts, these players — not your all-stars— could hold the highest trade value on your roster. And because you don’t have cap space to be a free-agent buyer, your best option may be to package one or more of these youngsters to pursue a veteran who can immediately help you win in the post-season.

You may have to include one of your veterans in order to make salaries match, but it’s a risk that could be worth taking. So, do you parlay your developing assets into veteran talent?

Q: Which GM is happy to leave their fate entirely in the hands of others?

A: You are!

Sure, you’ve made a change by promoting one of the coaches in your organization to take over the bench, but other than that you’ve decided to bring the entire band back. Oh, and you’re keeping your fingers crossed that LeBron James flees Cleveland again in free agency — and this time goes West.