{"id":726066,"date":"2026-05-05T05:54:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T05:54:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/726066\/"},"modified":"2026-05-05T05:54:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T05:54:20","slug":"key-raptors-backup-sounds-off-on-future-after-cavs-series-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/726066\/","title":{"rendered":"Key Raptors backup sounds off on future after Cavs series loss"},"content":{"rendered":"

Key Raptors backup sounds off on future after Cavs series loss<\/a> appeared first on ClutchPoints<\/a>. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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

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Mamukelashvili revealed he took less money to stay<\/a> with the Raptors and hopes to be back in 2026-27, per Raptors reporter Omer Osman.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think a lot of people don\u2019t know, last year, I got offered a lot more money to play for other teams,\u201d Mamukelashvili said. \u201cBut to me, the main priority is, as I said, I\u2019m a basketball player, I\u2019m 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\u2019s going to be here. I really want to be back. I love Toronto.<\/p>\n

\u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the Raptors, Mamukelashvili is confident he can continue to improve.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI think the main thing is understanding that I belong here, and I can be an NBA player, an NBA rotational guy,\u201d 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u2019ll be entering his seventh NBA season.<\/p>\n

RJ Barrett<\/a> expresses his love for Raptors, Toronto\"Nick<\/p>\n

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Raptors veteran forward RJ Barrett loves playing for Toronto<\/a>. The Toronto native wasn\u2019t ashamed to express that sentiment after losing Game 7 to the Cavs.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI\u2019m from here, who doesn\u2019t want to play at home. Of course, I\u2019m trying to stay here,\u201d Barrett said. \u201cI 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\u2019t ever want to leave. I don\u2019t have any problems openly saying that. That\u2019s out of my control. I\u2019ve done my part on the court this year, and I\u2019ll continue to do my part, and let\u2019s hope things work out that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

The final season of Barrett\u2019s contract is worth $29.6 million for the 2026-27 season.<\/p>\n

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Related: RJ Barrett expresses desire to make huge move after Cavs series loss<\/a><\/p>\n

Related: Raptors\u2019 Scottie Barnes speaks up on injury after NBA Playoff exit vs. Cavs<\/a><\/p>\n