The Toronto Raptors are a team that a lot of franchises around the NBA are keeping their eyes on. Currently 22-27 on the season, the Raptors are on the outside looking in of the NBA Play-In Tournament in the Eastern Conference, holding the 12th spot.
If that doesn’t change between now and the deadline in two weeks, there is a chance that the Raptors opt to go into a rebuild and trade some of their key pieces. As detailed by Eric Pincus over at Bleacher Report, teams are hoping that OG Anunoby or Pascal Siakam becomes available, but Gary Trent Jr. is a more realistic option.
“The Toronto Raptors are expected to make some changes, but it’s unclear how far they’ll go. Interested teams hope players such as OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam will become available. If they do, it will be at a significant price in players and draft compensation.”
Pincus explained further: “More realistically, the team will look to relocate Gary Trent Jr., who is expected to decline his $18.8 million player option for 2023-24 for a longer, lucrative contract. The Lakers and Suns might make sense.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gary Trent Jr, Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers & Phoenix Suns Updates
Getting dangerously close to the luxury tax line, it would not be a surprise if the Raptors looked to trade someone such as Trent if they do not have plans to sign him to a long-term deal. Getting some assets for him now instead of watching him walk for nothing in return in free agency would be the best course of action.
Averaging a career-high 18.6 points per game, it is surprising that only the Lakers and Suns have checked in on his availability. However, some teams are likely hesitant to trade assets for him knowing a lucrative contract will need to be offered in the offseason.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gary Trent Jr, Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers & Phoenix Suns Updates
If Toronto was going to have a full teardown trading away Anunoby or Siakam, it could have occurred already. The Raptors reportedly had an offer on the table for Anunoby that included three first-round picks. It is hard to imagine them receiving an offer that would top that one.
