“Pops has come in and given our team a much-needed shot of energy,” Bryan Colangelo, the Toronto general manager, said. “And what we have realised is that while Pops is by no means the complete NBA player, he is clearly someone who deserves to play at the NBA level.
“Let’s just say that at this stage I am inclined to extend the qualifying offer so we are in a position to control the cards in free agency.
“That way, if Pops obtains an offer from another club, we will have the option to match it. If he gets an offer we don’t have the appe e to match, then we can let him go.”