Toronto Raptors Receive: F/C Anthony Davis, F Talen Horton-Tucker, G Kendrick Nunn
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Pascal Siakam, F OG Anunoby, 2024 lottery-protected first-round pick
The Toronto Raptors probably didn’t expect to be as good as they were this season, having barely missed out on homecourt advantage in the playoffs. They’d probably look a lot more competitive this postseason too if they didn’t draw perhaps the worst possible matchup against Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Raptors are an extremely deep, fun, and wonky roster, with no player over 6’9 receiving significant playing time. Their lack of size is both what makes them so unpredictable and hard to defend, but also easy to exploit given the opportunity. Joel Embiid is taking full advantage of his chance. In the three games he played against the Raptors this season, the MVP candidate put up 29 points and 11.3 rebounds a night.
Despite the Raptors’ glaring Embiid-sized hole in the middle, the inspiring play of Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, and rookie Scottie Barnes saw the Raptors crush preseason expectations. Now, though, it’s time for them to take the next step forward.
Despite recent history, Siakam can’t compare to the two-way dominance that Davis brings to an NBA court when fully healthy. Surrounding Davis with the Raptors’ length, athleticism, and shooting would make for one of the most exciting and dangerous teams in the league.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Why Los Angeles Lakers Should Explore Anthony Davis Trade
Losing OG Anunoby’s 3-and-D prowess hurts, but Scottie Barnes’s emergence makes it a much more manageable pill to swallow. Talen Horton-Tucker and Kendrick Nunn can either bolster the bench or be used in later trades, although THT’s weird body type would be a perfect fit with the Raptors.
For the Lakers, they add a two-way star with size in Siakam who’s both a terror in transition and a matchup nightmare in the half-court.
Anunoby gives them much-needed defense and floor spacing, and the 2024 lottery-protected first-rounder supplies them with another trade chip to make moves on the margins. This trade instantly balances the Los Angeles Lakers starting lineup while duplicating most of Davis’ impact on both ends of the court.
