NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Toronto Raptors have something to play for this season even if most analysts believe they don’t. While it may not be for a championship, they’re playing for future jobs. Dating back two seasons, can you name a Raptor who hasn’t been involved in trade talks?
Gone is Fred VanVleet. He’s off hoisting up 3’s for the Houston Rockets as if they’re free throws. While he stepped away, the Raptors still have assets in OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam. Either or both of them may still be with the team by the season’s end. If they are, that’s because the Raptors made one hell of a run before the trade deadline.
But the million dollar question is not who will be moved but where will they end up?
Siakam is the most logical choice here considering his age and contact. At 29 years old, he’s one of the older players left on the roster. And despite his slight decline this season in production, he still holds trade value. While his name has been tied to the Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, and almost any other team in need of a stretch 4, the Toronto Raptors are hoping he turns things around to increase his value.
On the other side of the coin is Onunoby. At 26, he’s still young and should have been considered a cornerstone of the Toronto Raptors with Scottie Barnes. However, the Raptors see otherwise. OG is a sold 3-D player who actually adds more than what the title says.
Who Will The Toronto Raptors Trade
This season, OG is averaging 16.4 points to go along with 4 rebounds and .393 percent from deep. You can tell by his play that he’s in straight audition mode. Not saying he’s looking forward to leaving Canada but we’re pretty sure the whispers have caught his attention.
With teams such as the 76ers in need of a perimeter defender, there’s no wonder his name keeps popping up. And now that Daryl Morey has the trade assets to get a deal done, this is one move we will have to be on the lookout for.
Any team trading for Siakam may just be getting a half-season rental. He’s an UFA at the end of the year and may be looking for a large extension. The reason the 76ers keep coming up for him is due to the cap space they will have for the 2024 campaign. But is he a good fit? On the year, Siakam is averaging 19.5 points, and 7.3 rebounds while shooting .469 percent from the floor. He still has tremendous upside.
But it doesn’t stop there. Gary Trent Jr and Dennis Schroder are players the Toronto Raptors may look to move as well. This could be an organizational reset come the trade deadline. Schroder has played well this season with averages of 14.8 points and 7.5 assists. He’s become more of a journeyman in his career. But if given the minutes, he’s proven to have gas left in the tank.
Trent Jr is a super sub. He’s instant offense off the bench for any team. While he subbed for and at times started along side VanVleet last year and put up respectable numbers, his production has slipped this season as well. At 25, his career is far from over, and with the right system and coach, he could return to that 17 points per game score he was last seaosn. I
The Toronto Raptors are still playing with winning in mind and maybe they will have a change of heart the same way they did at the deadline last season. However with age and contract extensions upcoming for some of these players, now is the time to showcase them and see what type of return they can get before the NBA trade deadline.
