Key Raptors backup sounds off on future after Cavs series loss

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Key Raptors backup sounds off on future after Cavs series loss

Josue Pavon, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Tue, May 5, 2026 ·

3 min read

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Ahead of an uncertain offseason after losing Game 7 to the Cleveland Cavs in the first round, Toronto Raptors center Sandro Mamukelashvili will become an unrestricted free agent. After pushing the Cavs to the brink of elimination, many Raptors players spoke positively about the season .

Mamukelashvili revealed he took less money to stay with the Raptors and hopes to be back in 2026-27, per Raptors reporter Omer Osman.

"I think a lot of people don't know, last year, I got offered a lot more money to play for other teams," Mamukelashvili said. "But to me, the main priority is, as I said, I'm a basketball player, I'm a competitor. I want to win. And I want to be a part of something. I think this summer will be the same thing. Kind of understanding where I fit the best, and what role I can play, and hopefully, it's going to be here. I really want to be back. I love Toronto.

"I love the people. I love the organization. And coach Darko, I think he was a guy who gave me a chance to go out there and be myself."

With the Raptors, Mamukelashvili is confident he can continue to improve.

"I think the main thing is understanding that I belong here, and I can be an NBA player, an NBA rotational guy," Mamukelashvili added. I just want to keep it that way, and I want the best possible way to go out there and get better next year."

In his first season with the Raptors, Sandro Mamukelashvili averaged career-highs in points (11.2), field-goal percentage (52.3%), and steals (0.8) per game in 2025-26. He'll be entering his seventh NBA season.

RJ Barrett expresses his love for Raptors, Toronto

Raptors veteran forward RJ Barrett loves playing for Toronto . The Toronto native wasn't ashamed to express that sentiment after losing Game 7 to the Cavs.

Barrett, who will be entering the final year of his four-year, $107 million deal in 2026-27, hopes to stay with the Raptors long-term, he said, per Sportsnet.

"I'm from here, who doesn't want to play at home. Of course, I'm trying to stay here," Barrett said. "I understand the business, but I want to stay here. I have no problem saying that. I want to be here. I want to be here for the rest of my career. I don't ever want to leave. I don't have any problems openly saying that. That's out of my control. I've done my part on the court this year, and I'll continue to do my part, and let's hope things work out that way."

The final season of Barrett's contract is worth $29.6 million for the 2026-27 season.

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