Raptors news: Masai Ujiri rebuffs Pascal Siakam trade, Gradey Dick hypes Darko Rajakovic
By Mike Luciano
Now that the Toronto Raptors are officially done with the festivities from the 2023 NBA Draft, they can officially move on to figuring out what is going to happen with Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby. If they make a trade, Siakam would likely make more sense to move if the Raptors are concerned about getting a haul in return above all else.
The Raptors appear to be moving slightly closer towards “running it back,” a philosophy that is bent on the notion that the 48-win team from a year ago is in this roster somewhere. To further that end, Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster have largely been shutting trade talk down despite ravenous interest in their heavy hitters around the league.
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, teams across the league are continuing to send Toronto some hypothetical trade packages that Ujiri and the rest of the front office have largely rebuked. Fans who wanted a more earnest rebuild out of Ujiri are once again going to be very disappointed, as he thinks they are ready to win now.
There’s growing sentiment Toronto star Pascal Siakam — who’s on an expiring deal — would not re-sign with a team who attempts to trade for him as his preference is to remain with the Raptors, sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 22, 2023
More Raptors news
- OG Anunoby is officially changing representation, as he is going to part ways with Klutch Sports. This may have some impact on his familiarity and friendliness with the Raptors’ front office, as Ujrii has had success with Klutch clients like Nick Nurse, Fred VanVleet, and Gary Trent Jr. in the past few seasons.
- Raptors rookie Gradey Dick said that head coach Darko Rajakovic will be a perfect leader for him, adding that his personality “really suits me as a player.” Dick was impressed when Rajakovic put him through a private workout, showing the deal of respect and admiration that the new head coach has for his first draft pick.
"His personality really suits me as a player... I can come in here and put in that work with him, it's really rare that a Head Coach will put you through a personal workout."
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) June 26, 2023
- On Darko's style
NBA news
- After years of being included in trade rumors, often with the Raptors as one of the interesting parties, Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins is finally on his way out. In a salary-dumping move, Collins was traded to the Utah Jazz in exchange for the ageless Rudy Gay and a future second-round draft pick.
- The Miami Heat, despite the fact that the Portland Trail Blazers passed on a golden opportunity to make some trades in the 2023 NBA Draft, still have some interest in trading for Blazers guard Damian Lillard. Miami has some star pieces that could be traded away, and Portland drafted a potential replacement in Scoot Henderson.
Next. 7 worst free agents in Toronto Raptors history. dark