Raptors news: Rival wants OG Anunoby, Masai Ujiri's performance ripped

The dynamic duo of Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby have dominated Toronto Raptors trade rumors in the last few months, and the poor performance that Darko Rajakovic continues to put up might be enough to spur the front office into action relatively soon.

What makes Anunoby such a valuable trade target and a player that Toronto would likely want to keep around long-term is the fact he can fit in so seamlessly with so many different teams. It's not a stretch to assume that Anunoby could be an instant game-changer for an aggressive team obsessed with winning.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported the Philadelphia 76ers are keeping tabs on a possible Anunoby trade, which would see him reunite with head coach Nick Nurse. The front office would need to be blown away to accept a trade from one of their most hated foes.

Trading Anunoby to the 76ers would be a very tough pill to swallow. Not only would Nurse get one of his favorite players back as a division rival adds one of the best at his position, but the Raptors would be trading him to a team that isn't exactly overflowing with great long-term assets.

More Raptors news

• Ryen Rusillo, on The Bill Simmons Podcast, criticized Masai Ujiri and his inability to commit to a proper rebuild over the last few years. Rusillo says that it doesn't appear the Raptors "have a plan" for approaching the next few years while also bemoaning the fact the rest of the league and media do not grill Ujiri more for this approach.
• Scottie Barnes detailed some of the offseason improvements he made before what has been the best season of his young career. “You go outside running every day, it takes a lot of mental focus as well" Barnes said via the Toronto Star. "(Be) willing to push yourself through that...those times down the stretch and you gotta push yourself."

NBA news

• The Detroit Pistons, who have not won a game in November or December, lost their 25th consecutive game in a tough home loss to a beat-up Utah Jazz team. A loss in their next game would help Detroit tie the infamous record for most defeats in a row in one season.
• Charania also gave fans an update on the status of Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine. The Los Angeles Lakers remain hot on LaVine's tail, which is a further continuation of rumors that have been percolating for months. Even with limited assets, Rob Pelinka is going to do his best to chase stars.