Raptors news: Toronto "on the verge" of moving Pascal Siakam, Melo rips RJ Barrett

The Toronto Raptors are at the center of the NBA rumor mill once again, as Masai Ujiri looks ready to finally move on from Pascal Siakam. Contenders around the league are circling as they try to pick up one of the best power forwards in the league.

Even with Siakam's value as low as it has ever been due to his impending free agency and the notion that teams wouldn't want to part ways with multiple key assets for a player they could sign in June anyway, the latest rumblings make it seem like a move could happen anytime.

In a live stream on Bleacher Report, Chris Haynes reported that the Raptors are "on the verge" of parting ways with Siakam and stated there is a high likelihood that Pascal will end up getting traded prior to the February 8 trade deadline. That all-important day is approaching fast as the Raptors slide further away from play-in territory.

While Siakam has played well since the trade, it remains to be seen if Toronto will pay him the money he has deservedly earned in the last few season. The Raptors are clearly being hit hard emotionally by months of rumors, and they could be coming to an end quite soon.

More Raptors news

• Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that Toronto and the Indiana Pacers had some conversations at the G League Showcase, possibly about a Siakam trade. Scotto specifically mentioned veteran shooter Buddy Hield and former top pick Jarace Walker as possible players Toronto could target in a Siakam deal.
• On the "7 PM In Brooklyn" podcast, Carmelo Anthony took some weird, largely unfounded swipes at Raptors wing and former Knicks poster child RJ Barrett. Melo said that Barrett has a "boring" style of play, ripped him for his high variance in how effectively he scores the ball, and said he demands the ball on offense too much for a role player.

NBA news

• The Atlanta Hawks, a team that has been all over the Siakam trade sweepstakes in the past, appear ready to shake their roster up after a tough start to the season. All-Star point guard Dejounte Murray is very much on the trading block, with Adrian Wojnarowski reporting that Atlanta is "ready" to trade him.
• Chicago Bulls fans were soundly criticized for booing the family of late GM Jerry Krause during their inaugural Ring of Honor ceremony. Krause's widow, Thelma, was seemingly brought to tears over the reception. Broadcaster Stacey King called it "the worst thing I've ever seen," while former Krause Bull and Warriors coach Steve Kerr called it "shameful."