With the NBA Draft just a few days away, the Toronto Raptors remain one of the teams at the forefront of everyone’s collective thoughts. With so many players to trade away and an organization that hasn’t yet decided on contending or rebuilding, Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster could go in one of many different directions.
Names like Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby have ended up in the rumor mill. Jakob Poeltl faces some competition for his signature, while both Gary Trent Jr. and Fred VanVleet could earn some very expensive contracts in free agency that could throw a wrench into things.
What makes the Ujiri/Webster regime so frustrating at times is the fact that they have an alarming lack of clarity with regard to this roster. No one knows which way the team is leading, nor the players that could be jettisoned, irrespective of the team’s chosen pathway.
The latest rumors, unfortunately, will disappoint those who are desperate for some sort of trade to spice things up. Inactivity could be a killer for the Raptors, but that appears to be the path they are heading down if this keeps up.
3 rumors that could be bad news for the Toronto Raptors.
3. Otto Porter Jr. and his value
The Raptors only got eight games out of the oft-injured Porter during his debut season, which was a far cry from what they expected after helping the Warriors make it to the NBA Finals. Any hopes of getting rid of him during this offseason have been quickly and expertly dashed already.
According to Michael Grange of Sportsnet, one league executive said that “nobody wants” the former No. 3 overall pick, saying that he is “lay-up away from being out six-to-eight weeks.” This contract has become extremely unsightly in a frightening amount of time.
The Toronto Raptors are stuck with Otto Porter Jr.
If he was fully healthy, Porter could be a very positive addition to the bench, as he can rebound, defend, and shoot with aplomb. However, Porter has been one of the most injured players in the league, and his injuries certainly will not slow down as he gets older.
Porter needs to show not only that he can fit in with the Raptors’ rotation, but that he is worthy of an NBA roster spot at this point in his career. With a new coaching staff coming in, there is a good chance Porter is rooted to the end of the bench, barring a stunning trade away.
2. The league is “frustrated” with Toronto
Ujiri has been hesitant to pull the trigger on a big trade. This can be viewed as a positive, as he won’t make a trade for the sake of making one. Unfortunately, it also means that Ujiri’s stubbornness is making it difficult to improve or change this roster in any significant way.
Matt Moore of The Action Network said many around the league are very frustrated when it comes to talking with the Raptors, with some comparing it to getting “blood from a stone.” Why try to trade with the Raptors if you know you’re going to run into an Ujiri-esque stonewall every time?
The Toronto Raptors are tough to trade with.
Ujiri has historically found a fair price for his players, and he won’t trade one away unless his price is met. He and Webster both seem to be banking on the idea that teams will be knocking down his door due to the lack of elite role players on the trade market.
This may sound noble, but adhering to this philosophy might be enough to prevent the Raptors from consummating any sort of deal and being stuck with the exact same flawed roster from last season. New head coach Darko Rajakovic likely won’t be a fan of that strategy.
1. OG Anunoby is likely staying
Anunoby appeared to be the Raptors player with the highest likelihood of getting traded elsewhere, as the Raptors could keep their star in Pascal Siakam while getting a haul of picks and players. The latest rumblings go against that idea, however, with Ujiri holding out for a bigger deal that may never come.
Marc Stein, in his latest intel dump via his Substack, implied that Toronto’s negotiation tactics and unwillingness to part with a player they developed into an elite defender have made it unlikely that Anunoby will be dealt. This could put the Raptors in a very awkward position.
Will OG Anunoby stay with the Toronto Raptors?
Not only will the Raptors be saddled with a player that has one year left on his contract and has put out whispers hinting at his dissatisfaction on the offensive end, but they could be resigned to losing him for nothing in free agency after turning down offers with multiple first-round picks to acquire him.
Anunoby is one of the best defenders in the game, but the only way the Raptors can “retool” and remain competitive in the Eastern Conference is by dealing him and bringing back one of their free agent guards. If they move Siakam instead of him, a rebuild is underway.