Toronto Raptors- Is It Time to Deal?

By: Greg Rector

Fans of the Toronto Raptors are getting just a little annoyed especially, on X. I understand the frustration completely. Let’s look at what has gone wrong with the Toronto Raptors as they’ve played a quarter of their schedule for the 2023-2024 NBA season. Is it time to move Pascal Siakam or even OG Anunoby?

They Still Suck At Three Point Shooting

The Toronto Raptors still struggle from three-point territory instead of moving the ball inside which has helped them beat the Minnesota Timberwolves Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks early on this season the Toronto Raptors continue to take three-point shots. I get the temptation however when the three-point shots aren’t falling they need to stop firing up so many threes. When you only make 33.7% of your three-point attempts you’re losing more than winning in the NBA.

It would also help if they started games much better than they have for most of the season. Head coach Darko Rajakovic has instilled the .5 offense and early in the season, the Toronto Raptors struggled with the quickness required to see the .5 offense run effectively, especially in the halfcourt game. Pascal Siakam struggled early on except for those games I mentioned above. In those games, Pascal attacked the basket like he’s used to doing.

It was weird seeing him catch the ball at the foul line or just inside the line and he would look to pass way too often instead of attacking the basket. This is the reason so many folks on X have attacked Pascal Siakam. He didn’t want to be labelled selfish as Masai Ujuri and the new coach said several Raptors were selfish last season. I’m sorry but when you have a talent like Pascal Siakam you let him attack the basket instead of looking to pass when he has the ball and he’s being defended by smaller players. It’s why Siakam was named an NBA All-Star and an ALL-NBA player.

It’s been the bane of the Toronto Raptors for several seasons when they don’t get out and run in transition the halfcourt offense struggles. So far I’m seeing the same issue repeat itself. Dennis Schroder has been a great addition and Scottie Barnes is a vocal leader on the floor. To see Pascal Siakam averaging just 20 points a game though has Toronto Raptors fans shaking their heads.

Is It Time To Deal?

While OG Anunoby has been great especially, from the three-point territory and his defense has been at such a high level ask Devin Booker after he managed just 8 points against the Raptors last week. Anunoby’s name is mentioned often in trade talks as well. I believe if the Toronto Raptors are going to not be a play-in squad again this season they have to trade one of Pascal Siakam or OG Anunoby.

The bench hasn’t helped out yet again and this is where the Toronto Raptors failures truly lie in my opinion. Gary Trent Jr missed several games and another player who is struggling in the .5 offense is Chris Boucher. Boucher and Siakam are two older players who have thrived when they attack the basket instead of searching for teammates to pass the ball to. That doesn’t fit the bill for Rajakovic’s offense and it’s leading to the awful starts the Toronto Raptors have most nights.

If the Toronto Raptors don’t move Pascal Siakam or OG Anunoby they risk losing both players and getting nothing in return for either player much like losing Fred Van Vleet this past off-season. Masai Ujuri can’t allow that to happen or his days will end with the Toronto Raptors.

Gradey Dick the first-round draft pick of the Raptors is now playing for the 905 in the G-League which suits me just fine. I believe teams need to send these rookies down more often than we currently see. The NBA game is a rough new world for these young men and if you put them down to the G-League they can learn plenty more than they learn sitting on the bench.

Christian Koloko is closer to returning to the Toronto Raptors as he’s been dealing with a respiratory illness since the summer. That will also help the Raptors once he’s also had time with the 905 G-League. Jakob Poetl is a solid NBA center but the Raptors need another big body in the middle.

I suggest if the Toronto Raptors are going to be better than they were last season they must trade Pascal Siakam and quite possibly OG Anunoby as well.