The Toronto Raptors are in the mists of trade rumors already as 2023 comes to an end.
Toronto is 11-17 and they are 12th in the Eastern Conference standings. The team as constructed isn’t good enough to compete and moves need to be made.
Two players for the Raptors who have been in the rumor mill are Pascal Siakam and O.G. Anunoby. Both are set to become unrestricted free agents next summer.
The Raptors could elect to trade both players to try and net a big return.
However, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, Siakam is more likely to be traded than Anunoby:
“With rival teams expressing trade interest in Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby , the consensus among the vast majority of NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype was that Siakam would be the one more likely of the two players to be traded. NBA executives exploring the trade market for wings believe Toronto will do whatever it takes to keep Anunoby in free agency this summer after he formally declines his $19.93 million player option.”
Scotto notes that high-ranking executives from the Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks chatted extensively with Raptors executives at the G League Showcase.
He says that both the Pacers and Hawks have been two of the most consistent teams expressing interest in trading with the Raptors for over a year.
Scotto mentions Pacers’ power forward Jarace Walker as someone who could move the needle for a potential trade for either Siakam or Anunoby.
Scotto also says that if Siakam is traded, the Raptors would retool around Scottie Barnes and Anunoby, while trying to acquire young players with potential and draft pick compensation in the deal for Siakam.
Will the Raptors make a deal?
With the Raptors season beginning to slip away, change seems inevitable.
The Raptors aren’t going to win with this current group and won’t be able to retain Anunoby, Siakam and Barnes once he’s due for a contract extension.
Therefore, it seems like it’s only a matter of time until Toronto makes a big move before the trade deadline.
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