The Toronto Raptors are currently running out of time to get their season turned around. Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby are putting together some tremendous individual seasons, but they won’t have the ability to lead the Raptors to the postseason if the team remains this inconsistent.
The idea of blowing this roster is not what this fanbase wants to see, but it might need to happen if the front office believes that the current alignment has hit a wall. Like many other big names on the roster, this duo needs to watch their back.
While Siakam and Anunoby are the team’s two best players, Ujiri is likely going to listen to offers on both of them as Toronto tries to get back some assets for the future. The return either one of these players could get in a trade would be downright nauseating.
According to Michael Grange of SportsNet, one NBA decision-maker thinks that the Raptors could get back “a s—load” of assets in exchange for Siakam or Anunoby. This adds further credence to Zach Lowe’s report that Anunoby could get a Donovan Mitchell-type haul.
Why the NBA is watching the Raptors, what OG Anunoby could fetch in a trade (a "S-load") and how Toronto's coming month -- starting with a six-game home stand - could shape the season and season(s) ahead: https://t.co/y1pvyHa94s
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) January 4, 2023
Toronto Raptors rumors: OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam could get a haul
Let’s get one thing straight. Siakam is not going to get traded. Every move the Raptors make in the next few weeks will be centered around the idea that Siakam is going to sign a lucrative extension in the offseason and be the organization’s franchise player. Got it? Good.
Anunoby, on the other hand, could be moved if the Raptors get an offer with that crapload mentioned above (to keep it G rated) of assets. While not desirable for the short term, Ujiri needs to consider how to build a team around Scottie Barnes and the rest of the team’s young talent.
Anunoby is under contract for next season, and his four-year, $72 million deal is one of the most affordable deals in the league for a player of his caliber. Toronto would be well within their rights to hold onto him and try to build their next winning team with Anunoby in the fold.
lol the casual nature of this strip from OG Anunoby pic.twitter.com/V3paNYHeu9
— Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) January 3, 2023
Considering that the Raptors traded away DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry in the last few seasons, fans are well within their rights to expect chaos from Ujiri and the rest of the front office. Trading Anunoby would certainly qualify, but it seems like the Raptors will need to be knocked off their feet to move him.