Pressure is starting to mount for the Toronto Raptors as they are four games below .500.
Thankfully, the Raptors snapped their four-game losing streak against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday. But, there is still some uncertainty if Toronto is going to be in the playoff mix.
Heading into the 2023-24 season, O.G. Anunoby and Pascal Siakam are set to become unrestricted free agents next summer. Meaning that the Raptors are going to have to pick a direction by the trade deadline.
Only 24 games into the season, rumors are already swirling once again. Anunoby and Siakam are the two names being floated around and the two are likely to be moved.
Matt Moore of The Action Network believes Toronto will build around Scottie Barnes and Siakam is likely heading elsewhere whether that be the deadline or free agency:
“My understanding currently is that the Raptors are likely to build around the combination of Anunoby and Barnes, and that Siakam will likely head somewhere willing to pay him this summer. That’s the next complication.”
While it feels like a trade is inevitable, that was the same feeling last February and nothing materialized. Moore believes executives are skeptical Toronto will make a deal, but time will tell:
“Executives continue to be skeptical that the Raptors will make a deal after so many close calls. We’ll see if they go through with it.”
Contending or competitive teams will seemingly call Masai Ujiri and check the availability of Anunoby and Siakam.
Siakam may warrant the biggest return given his All-Star capabilities. Regardless, both players should garner a considerable amount of assets, if Toronto is serious about a rebuild.
Hawks almost had Siakam deal done
There have been rumored teams interested in Siakam, including the Atlanta Hawks. With Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, it seems like Atlanta is looking to add more firepower.
It seems that this past summer, the Hawks believed that they were close to landing Siakam, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
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