The Toronto Raptors could be the biggest domino at the trade deadline.
The Raptors are currently 9-12 and 11th in the Easter Conference. If Toronto continues to slide, they could look to trade some of their key players.
According to Shams Charania, everyone in the league is keeping an eye on the Raptors roster:
“I think everyone around this league is keeping an eye on this roster.”@ShamsCharania joins @OverDrive1050 and discusses the Raptors and their future. pic.twitter.com/ICtVWp1Cyq
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 7, 2023
Shams mentioned that the only untouchable on the Raptors roster right now is Scottie Barnes. Pascal Siakam and O.G. Anunoby are two names that keep coming up in trade rumors and that’s because both are set to become unrestricted free agents in the summer of 2024.
If the Raptors don’t have plans to re-sign them then the smart decision would be to trade them so they don’t lose both for nothing. Similar to how Toronto lost Fred VanVleet in free agency for nothing to the Houston Rockets.
Charania also mentioned that the Atlanta Hawks felt like they were close to acquiring Pascal Siakam in a trade this past summer.
Toronto has yet to commit to a direction and are taking a wait and see approach.
However, to this point the Raptors have been a very inconsistent team. As the loses continue to pile up, all arrows are pointing to Toronto shaking up their roster and building around Barnes.
Barnes remains the biggest bright spot on the Raptors. If Toronto views him as the cornerstone of the franchise then they need to make the necessary trades to surround him with the right talent.
Will the Raptors turn it around?
It’s still early to hit the panic button on the Raptors season, but time is ticking for them.
December will be a crucial month for the Raptors to get back on track. If they continue to struggle heading into the new year, then major changes will be inevitable.
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