The Toronto Raptors could be in a very enviable position in the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline, as teams across the league will be calling Masai Ujiri in an attempt to either make an earth-shattering Pascal Siakam trade or swipe OG Anunoby away from the only team he has ever known.
It doesn't take the most cutting-edge basketball mind to see how adding one of the best defensive players in the game in Anunoby or a proven high-end scorer with championship experience in Siakam could make any contender or fringe playoff team better.
Ujiri has done everything possible to hold on to both of these players, but it seems unlikely that the pairing will stay together as Toronto moves into a more legitimate rebuild. The latest buzz seems to suggest one of these two could be on the move.
According to Mike Scotto of HoopsHype, executives around the league believe a Siakam trade is much more likely to happen than any sort of Anunoby swap. Given Siakam's value in a trade, Anunoby's importance to the team, and OG's fit alongside Scottie Barnes, this looks like the prudent way to do business for Toronto.
Reporting on Knicks trade targets, Immanuel Quickley’s future, Lauri Markkanen, Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Dejounte Murray, potential Hornets front office changes, the Pacers, two-way conversion candidates, and more on @hoopshype. https://t.co/hxILE5k8BT
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) December 22, 2023
NBA rumors: Toronto Raptors' Pascal Siakam trade more likely than OG Anunoby deal
Siakam's market, even with the Sacramento Kings starting to fade away after balking at the idea of trading Keegan Murray, still remains relatively robust. Two main teams, the Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers, stay at the forefront of talks for the All-NBA forward.
Siakam is averaging 21.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. While his numbers are down compared to last year, Scottie Barnes' improvement has vacuumed up much of his production. When needed, the Raptors let him turn back the clock and dominate the offensive plan of attack.
Even though Siakam is owed a ton of money this season and will hit free agency after this season, the Raptors can still get an extensive collection of goodies that will help them plan for the future. Teams would likely be willing to give them a solid rotation player, a young developmental piece, and some first-round picks.
The Raptors are at a fork in the road, as they need to make some sort of move now that it is clear their core is unable of building a winner without the presence of Nick Nurse. If they can only keep one of Anunoby or Siakam, moving Pascal would give Toronto more assets wuth which they can reload.