Sports
NBA Rumors: Raptors 'Likely' to Build Around Anunoby, Barnes amid Siakam Trade Buzz – Bleacher Report
The Toronto Raptors aren’t willing to tear it down just yet with a little less than two months left before what could be a pivotal NBA trade deadline, according to Action Network’s Matt Moore.
Moore reported the Raptors “are likely to build around” Scottie Barnes and OG Anunoby, with Pascal Siakam potentially landing with a team “willing to pay him this summer.” Moore questioned, however, whether Siakam’s impending free agency and expected contract demands could cool his trade market.
Siakam is an unrestricted free agent, while Anunoby can and presumably will opt out of the $19.9 salary he can collect for next season. That presents a sense of urgency for the front office.
The Raptors are more talented than their 9-14 record and 11th-place position in the Eastern Conference. The trio of Barnes, Siakam and Anunoby is a solid foundation for a contender as well.
From that standpoint, a desire to retool rather than rebuild is understandable.
The trouble is, Toronto has attempted to retool ever since Kawhi Leonard left after the franchise’s 2019 NBA Finals triumph. So far, that has netted two playoff trips in four seasons, one ending in the conference semifinals and the other resulting in a first-round exit.
In addition, the Raptors already experienced the dangers of letting a key player hit the open market. Fred VanVleet left to sign with the Houston Rockets over the summer, and his old team was left without the ability to get an adequate replacement. Dennis Schröder came in on a two-year, $25.4 million deal to become the starting point guard.
Both Siakam and Anunoby figure to have robust markets once their contracts expire, so Toronto will have competition.
Siakam is averaging 20.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists, though his three-point shooting (21.2) has noticeably fallen off. Still, he’s a two-time All-NBA honoree who, at 29, has plenty of good years left.
Anunoby, meanwhile, continues to be an effective two-way presence. He’s shooting 39.4 percent from beyond the arc and averaging 1.1 steals.
Trading at least one of Siakam or Anunoby is the most sensible path, and some fans will argue jettisoning both and starting anew is the best long-term play.
If they’re intent on building around Barnes and Anunoby, then dealing Siakam before Feb. 8 has to be the move for the Raptors. They can’t afford to repeat the mistake of holding onto VanVleet and losing him for nothing.