Updated Raptors depth chart after Pascal Siakam traded to Pacers
By Mike Luciano
The Toronto Raptors pushed the big red button and blew up the roster. In the span of just a few weeks, OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam found themselves traded to the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers, respectively, for a collection of young players and future picks.
The Siakam trade sent the All-NBA forward to the Indiana Pacers for a package consisting of Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, and former New Orleans Pelicans lottery pick Kira Lewis. Toronto also picked up two first-round picks from Indiana in the 2024 NBA Draft and one in the 2026 Draft.
The Raptors have committed to a young core of Scottie Barnes at the head of the snake with RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley in supporting roles. This has caused some major changes to the depth chart, as the team got much younger in an instant.
BREAKING: The Indiana Pacers are finalizing a trade to acquire All-Star F Pascal Siakam in a deal that will send Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora and three first-round picks to the Toronto Raptors. New Orleans will be a third team in deal, sending Kira Lewis to the Raptors.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 17, 2024
Updated Toronto Raptors depth chart after Pascal Siakam traded to Pacers.
PG: Immanuel Quickley, Dennis Schroder, Kira Lewis
SG: Gary Trent Jr, Bruce Brown, Gradey Dick
SF: RJ Barrett, Jordan Nwora, Jalen McDaniels, Otto Porter Jr, Garrett Temple
PF: Scottie Barnes, Chris Boucher, Thad Young
C: Jakob Poeltl, Jontay Porter (two-way), Christian Koloko
The Raptors currently have 16 players on the NBA roster. If Brown is not rerouted elsewhere, Toronto may look to cut a player like Otto Porter or Jalen McDaniels. This also makes it much more difficult to convert standout two-way center Jontay Porter's deal into a proper NBA contract.
The Raptors may put Gary Trent Jr. back in the starting lineup after this trade, moving Barrett back to the wing and making Barnes a more nominal power forward. Jakob Poeltl should be returning from his injury soon, which will give the starting lineup a bit more punch offensively.
On the bench, Nwora and Brown (if he stays) should have immediate complementary roles while Dennis Schroder and Chris Boucher remain in the rotation. The fact Toronto picked Lewis instead of one of Indiana's better youngsters could indicate they are very bullish on his potential.
The Raptors are starting a new era with Barnes at the center. It's tough to see Siakam go, but this move is necessary to fully rip the Band-Aid off and move ahead.
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