While the trade sagas surrounding Toronto Raptors forwards Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby will continue to rage until one of them finally ends up getting sent away, a whole new bidding war will begin during the offseason after both of them immediately hit free agency.
While these two potential All-Stars could ignite a bidding war at the trade deadline, the real chase will come in the offseason. Even bottom-feeders like the Detroit Pistons won't be too perturbed at the idea of giving Siakam and Anunoby new nine-figure contracts.
The Pistons recently set the NBA record for most consecutive losses in a season with 27, which means the front office will likely do some incredibly zany things to get this team back to respectability. Luring Siakam and Anunoby to Michigan would certainly qualify as zany.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Pistons are desperately eyeing a trade for a power forward in free agency who can be a co-star alongside Cade Cunningham. Both Siakam and Anunoby have entered Troy Weaver's crosshairs, which would have sounded improbably just a few months ago.
Detroit Pistons actively looking to trade for a β4 manβ
β BASKETBALL ON π (@BasketballOnX) December 27, 2023
βIβm told some names to to keep an eye on, Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Tobias Harris and Miles Bridgesβ
β @ShamsCharania
[via @RunItBackFDTV ] pic.twitter.com/GuUtsTOog5
NBA rumors: Pistons targeting Toronto Raptors' Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby
The fact Weaver has survived being fired for this long is a testament to his incredibly ability to convince ownership he knows what he is doing. After spending poorly in past offseasons, Weaver might get one last crack at things when Siakam and Anunoby hit the market.
Anunoby would be the second-best player on the Pistons as well as a perfect veteran mentor and running mate for former top pick Ausar Thompson. While Toronto might be willing to give Anunoby the deal he wants, and he may end up being prioritized over Siakam, never doubt a desperate lottery team with money to spend.
Siakam already has his championship ring secured in addition to his legacy with the Raptors, so no one would begrudge him for a second if he decided to take the biggest offer out there. Siakam and Year 4 of Cunningham would be good for an automatic 50 points every night, which would help the Pistons reestablish themselves.
While a trade seems unlikely due to both Detroit's losing streak and the Raptors' reluctance to finally hit the reset button, both of these Raptors seem to be high on Weaver's list of potential solutions to turning his team around. Seeing Pascal or OG in bright Pistons blue would be a tough sight at first glance.