If you follow the NBA, you’ve heard the rumors. The Toronto Raptors are blowing it up. They’ve got a lot of star forwards, and they’re going to trade one of them – at least.
The most prominent name in the rumor mill is Pascal Siakam. He’s widely expected to be moved. Perhaps he will be. Meanwhile, his most popular suitor is likely the Atlanta Hawks. Plenty of rumors have the Hawks sending out a massive package to land Siakam.
On the other hand, the Raptors have another star forward who could be available. OG Anunoby is no stranger to trade rumors either. Meanwhile, the Hawks could use him as much as they could use Siakam. Here’s a deal that has Anunoby landing in Atlanta.
The Trade Proposal
Toronto Raptors Receive: F DeAndre Hunter, F/C Onyeka Onkongwu, 2029 First-Round Pick (ATL)
Atlanta Hawks Receive: F OG Anunoby, F/C Chris Boucher
On the other hand, some rumors are just that – rumors. We can’t invest stock in everything we hear around the NBA. If we did, we’d lose all credibility.
Yet, some rumors persist for a long time. Just when you’re ready to write them off, they become reality. Just take the Hawks. This team was alleged to be shopping John Collins for years. Eventually, we had to write the rumors off as fiction. This summer, the Hawks finally sent Collins to the Utah Jazz.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors & Atlanta Hawks Updates
Does that mean that the Raptors wilt trade Siakam? Of course not. Some rumors never turn out to be true. With that said, Siakam has been in the rumor mill for a while now. We can’t discredit the possibility that they’re only biding their time. Could they really send Anunoby to the Hawks instead?
Why The Toronto Raptors Do The Deal
Well, once again, Anunoby has been the subject of rumors as well. In fact, it’s been rumored that, at times, he’s been unhappy with his role in Toronto. If that’s true, the Raptors have reason enough to move him. Eventually, an unhappy player tends to pose a problem.
Yet, the Raptors would have to entertain this deal anyway. This team had a disappointing 2022-23 season. There is surely some appetite to rebuild in Toronto. If so, this deal helps them tremendously. They’re landing two intriguing young players and a first-round pick.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors & Atlanta Hawks Updates
In some respects, the package is highlighted by Onkongwu. Sure, the Raptors extended Jakob Poeltl this summer. If they acquired Onkongwu, they could move him at the deadline. In that event, the Raptors would be in a position to land even more assets. Should the Hawks put them in that position?
Why The Atlanta Hawks Do The Deal
The Raptors weren’t the only team to have a disappointing year last season. For that reason, they’re not the only team involved in rumors, either. The Hawks have been at the center of plenty of speculation recently.
Some have suggested that they could trade Trae Young. That would send shockwaves through the NBA. It would also be a desperate measure. The Hawks just landed Dejounte Murray at the cost of three first-round picks. Now that they’re light on assets, they’d do better to stay in win-now mode.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors & Atlanta Hawks Updates
That’s what they’re doing here. Anunoby is comfortably the best player in this deal. in fact, he’s one of the best 3-and-D wings in the NBA. If the Raptors would be willing to part with him, the Hawks should pounce – even if it’s not the Raptors forward they’re most rumored to be interested in.
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