Toronto Raptors Wiretap

The New York Knicks are hoping to retain Mitchell Robinson in unrestricted free agency this summer. Doing so won't come cheaply, as New York is likely to have competition for Robinson's services this offseason.

The Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Lakes and Toronto Raptors are all expected to look at upgrading their center positions. Robinson is likely to be the best unrestricted center available in free agency.

The Bulls and Lakers could have enough cap space to offer the 28-year-old center a big enough deal to make the Knicks think twice about beating it. New York is expected to be dealing with the first and second apron next season, as their roster has five players who are set to make between $20 and $57 million.

The Hornets will have the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception of $15 million to offer Robinson. Both Charlotte and Toronto could also look into sign-and-trade possibilities with New York, as well.

Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram underwent surgery Friday to remove a heel spur from his right foot, the team announced. Dr. Martin O'Malley performed the procedure at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.

Ingram is expected to make a full recovery and be available for training camp in September.

The 27-year-old was named an All-Star for the second time last season, leading the Raptors with 21.5 points per game while adding 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists across 77 starts.

Ingram re-signed with the Raptors last offseason on a three-year, $120 million deal.

Saturday night's Game 7 between the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics averaged 10.99 million viewers on NBC.

It is the largest audience for a first-round game since Game 5 of Jazz-Kings in 1999.

Viewership peaked at 12.6 million viewers.

Sunday's Game 7 between the Cavs and Raptors averaged 7.0 million viewers. Game 7 between the Magic and Pistons earlier in the day averaged 5.7 million viewers on ABC.

NBC's 15 playoff games averaged 5.5 million viewers, up 61% from last year. 

The Toronto Raptors made a serious push to acquire Jaren Jackson Jr. from the Memphis Grizzlies before the February trade deadline, but were unable to complete a deal due to the burden of Jakob Poeltl's remaining contract, according to multiple league sources.

Memphis ultimately sent Jackson to the Utah Jazz in a package that included three first-round picks. Toronto's pursuit stalled over its inability to find a taker for Poeltl's four-year, $104 million commitment.

The 30-year-old Austrian center was sidelined for an extended stretch with back problems at the time of the deadline, making his contract one of the least attractive in the league. Interest from other teams was minimal.

Poeltl's availability improved after the All-Star break and he played through the postseason without issue. However, his performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round raised fresh concerns, as he appeared overmatched in his first playoff appearance in six seasons.

The failed Jackson pursuit illustrates the broader challenge facing general manager Bobby Webster this offseason. Several large contracts, including Immanuel Quickley's four years and $130 million and Brandon Ingram's two years and $82 million, continue to limit Toronto's ability to reshape its roster. The Raptors signed Poeltl to his extension just last offseason.

The Raptors also pursued a trade for Anthony Davis with the Dallas Mavericks, but the required salaries they would have to send out made it challenging to execute. Davis was instead traded to the Washington Wizards for expiring contracts.

The Raptors finished the regular season 46-11 before falling to the Cavaliers in seven games, with Scottie Barnes averaging 24.1 points, 8.6 assists and 6.1 rebounds in the series.

Toronto Raptors wing Gradey Dick's third NBA season didn't go the way he had hoped. Despite playing in a career-high 76 games, Dick turned in his worst NBA season. His role in the Raptors rotation was reduced as the season went along, as Dick finished with the worst stats of his three-year career.

Toronto may look to trade Dick this offseason, as a way to free up flexibility under the luxury tax. A move to another team is something that the 6-foot-7 wing is open to. Dick is set to make $7.1 million next season in the final year of his rookie scale contract. He'll be extension-eligible this offseason, and a potential restricted free agent in 2027 if no extension agreement is reached.

The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Toronto Raptors 114-102 in Game 7 to close out the series on Sunday night.

Jarrett Allen tied a playoff career high with 22 points and 19 rebounds. Donovan Mitchell added 22 points, with James Harden finishing with 18 points.

"I think we've already moved on (to focusing on Detroit)," Mitchell said following the game. "We understand we won this game, but we play in a couple days."

Allen credited the defensive side of the ball, though added that the Cavs still need to tighten up their overall game.

"I think the defensive stops, rebounds and the offense is still shaky in some areas, but I think when we rebound the ball and get stops, that just translates to the offense so much better and transition and open shots for everybody," said Allen.

Scott Barnes finished with 24 points and nine rebounds, with RJ Barrett adding 23 points.

The Raptors were without Brandon Ingram for Game 7.

Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic credited his team's effort.

"We gave it all, everything we had today," Rajakovic said. "Our guys were awesome. We made it hard on them."

The home team won every game in the series.

The Cavs are set to face the Pistons on Tuesday.

The Toronto Raptors ruled Brandon Ingram out for Sunday's Game 7 against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to right heel inflammation.

Ingram also missed Game 6 with the injury.

Ingram is averaging 12.0 points and 3.2 rebounds in the playoffs. 

RJ Barrett hit a three-pointer with 1.2 seconds remaining in overtime to lift the Toronto Raptors past the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-110 in Game 6 Friday, forcing a decisive Game 7 in Cleveland. The shot, which caromed high off the rim before dropping through, drew immediate comparisons to Kawhi Leonard's series-winning basket against the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019.

"I knew it was good because it went straight up. If it goes straight up, you've got a chance, like that [Tyrese] Haliburton shot," Barrett said.

"First thing I thought of was Kawhi Leonard, to be honest," Donovan Mitchell said, referencing Leonard's four-bounce buzzer-beater in 2019 when the Raptors defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

"It was only half a second, but it felt like an eternity," Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. "I was happy for him, for this team, for this city, that the shot went down."

Toronto played without starters Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley, yet received standout contributions from its younger players. Scottie Barnes posted 25 points, 14 assists and seven rebounds. Barrett finished with 24 points and nine rebounds, Ja'Kobe Walter added 24, and rookie Collin Murray-Boyles contributed 17.

Cleveland held a late edge in regulation, leading by one with 18.8 seconds left after Jamal Shead split two free throws. The Raptors forced a critical turnover to regain possession, setting up Barrett's winning attempt.

"Gonna go to Cleveland, and Toronto, we'll be back real soon," Barnes told the crowd after the game.

Rajakovic had set the tone before tip-off.

"Grit. Who wants it more? Who's more desperate in the game tonight? ... Who's going to hit first? Who's going to go for a rebound, who's going to keep those 50-50 balls alive. We have to be that team tonight," Rajakovic said.

Cleveland's star duo of Mitchell and James Harden struggled throughout, combining for numerous turnovers and missed shots. Evan Mobley was the Cavaliers' standout performer, draining a three-pointer to tie the game with 11.6 seconds left in regulation and controlling the glass in overtime.

Game 7 returns to Cleveland with the Cavaliers favored by 7.5 points over the Raptors.