Raptors’ asking price for in-demand stars considered ‘astronomical’

The Toronto Raptors are struggling at the moment, as a season that seemed full of promise not too long ago now appears to be destined for failure. They are 16-23 overall and 3-11 over their past 14 games. Not many would have seen this coming from a team that had finished fifth in the Eastern Conference just last season.

Thus, it is pretty clear that the Raptors need to make changes and they might need to go on a rebuild, with the current roster not looking good enough to be genuine contenders. The two key players that they have right now are Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby.

Siakam has been great this season, and it is a shame that his performances are not getting enough recognition, due to the Raptors’ poor form. He has averaged 25.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game. The Cameroonian star is also making 47.2% of his field goal attempts and shooting 33.3% from distance.

On the other hand, Anunoby is having a Defensive Player of the Year caliber season. On top of that, his production on the offensive end has been very solid as well, averaging 18.3 points while hitting 46.6% of his field goals and 34.6% from beyond the arc. He is also the league leader with 2.2 steals per game.

The thought of trading them has likely popped up at some point in Masai Ujiri’s mind, but his asking price is sure to scare away prospective teams.

As reported by Matt Moore about the Raptors’ situation on Action Network:

"League sources say Toronto is active in trade talks and open to moving players, but the asking prices have been described as “insane,” “astronomical,” and “far-fetched.”"

Toronto Raptors: Price for Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby ‘astronomical’

Siakam and Anunoby are way too good to let them leave in underwhelming trades, and doing so won’t help the Raptors at all unless they get an ungodly haul. Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr are two other players whose futures in Toronto seem to be up in the air.

VanVleet has struggled badly this season following his All-Star campaign last time around. His numbers have dropped in every key parameter, but it is hard to see there being a lot of value in trade talks for an undersized point guard, who is already pushing 30 years of age and does not possess elite athleticism.

Trent is the most likely player on the roster to be traded but then, but his form has improved significantly in recent weeks. He has scored 20 points or more in the Raptors’ last six games and seems to have rediscovered his touch from three-point range.

Thus, it is not clear what path the Raptors will take next when it comes to trade talks. And don’t discount the possibility of them turning their season around either, as they sit just a couple of games away from a play-in spot.