The Toronto Raptors are as active in trade talks as they’ve been in years, as names like OG Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr. could find new homes by the end of the next few days. The trade of Rui Hachimura could be a sign that the NBA’s trade machine is starting to kick into high gear.
The Raptors are aware of the fact that they have one of the best young players in the league in Scottie Barnes, but very little else is certain about this club. Masai Ujiri is no fan of remaining in the middle, so a big trade could be coming in relatively short order.
Bleacher Report constructed five trades that could throw a wrench into the postseason picture, three of which involve the Raptors. Some involve the Raptors selling off their assets to rebuild for the future, but a few of them have Toronto making some intense win-now decisions.
Some of these offers are better than others, as they run the spectrum from enticing to downright disgusting from a Toronto perspective. Will the Raptors pull off any of these trades in a very contentious, uncertain time for the franchise?
Grade the Toronto Raptors trade: 3 Bleacher Report proposals.
Trade No. 1: Raptors add Myles Turner
The Raptors have been linked to Turner for what feels like forever, and this trade would help them finally land their white whale. Need a dominant rim protector? Look no further than Turner.
The Raptors have had gotten solid rim protection from Koloko and Precious Achiuwa, but neither of them can currently hold a candle to Turner on the offensive end. Indiana might start selling after their post-Tyrese Haliburton injury decline.
Toronto Raptors trade rumors: Myles Turner would be a risky addition.
Now, the downsides. Turner would require a hefty contract that will assuredly approach nine figures, and the Raptors are far from the only team that would want him in free agency. Abandoning Koloko despite all the promise he showed defensively could also come back to bite them.
Offloading the Boucher contract would be a nice move, and Turner would be a star center that could slide in nicely, but the Raptors would be surrendering a ton of assets and giving them to a young team on the rise in their own conference.
Grade: B
Trade No. 2: OG Anunoby traded to Memphis
The Grizzlies have been IDed as a team that might be able to make a move for Anunoby, as they have all of their original first-round selections. They could become the top dog in the Western Conference at the deadline, and acquiring Anunoby would put them over the top. The Raptors would get back a nice chunk of change in exchange.
In addition to names like Brandon Clarke and Ziaire Williams, Memphis has trade chips like an ultra-versatile first-round pick in Roddy and a veteran sniper just getting healthy that was on the 2019 champions in Green. The draft capital is what really takes this offer over the edge.
Toronto Raptors trade rumors: OG Anunoby could get a haul.
While none of those three picks will likely be lottery selections, the Raptors would essentially be getting four first-round picks for Anunoby considering how early into his career Roddy is. With six first-round choices in a three-year stretch, the Raptors can replenish their depth with those picks while still remaining flexible enough to make a win-now deal.
Anunoby’s defense is beyond reproach, but it’s fair to say that he hasn’t taken the steps forward that Toronto has wanted to see on the offensive end. Getting this crazy haul of assets in return could help Toronto set itself up nicely for the post-OG era.
Grade: A-
Trade No. 3: Pascal Siakam ends up in Dallas
Let’s be serious for a second. The Raptors may have a nonzero chance of dealing Siakam, but they will only do so for a package that far exceeds what Dejounte Murray brought to the Spurs. This return is absolutely laughable.
Let’s see, what is the most objectionable part of this deal? The fact Christian Wood is the best asset being exchanged? Is it the aging, impending free agent Kevin Love coming to Toronto? Perhaps the draft capital consisting of two Dallas picks that likely won’t be lottery selections? What on earth is this?
Toronto Raptors trade rumors: Pascal Siakam isn’t going anywhere.
Siakam is an All-NBA player that is about to receive a supermax contract in the offseason, yet this trade makes it seem like it is OK to trade him away for one above-average big man, a player who won’t be in Toronto in 2023, and two non-lottery draft picks that will be used on players that are in high school right now.
Siakam is likely going to stay in Toronto unless some team gives them a Godfather offer that Ujiri would be stupid to turn down. Wood is a fine player, perhaps even one Toronto should look into. Trading a player like Siakam to acquire him is simply foolish.
Grade: D-