Rival executives believe Pascal Siakam is more likely to be traded than OG Anunoby if the Raptors decide to shake up their roster, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. In fact, teams looking for help on the wing think Toronto “will do whatever it takes” to retain Anunoby as a free agent in 2024 — he’s widely expected to decline his $19.9MM player option for next season.
Scotto reports that top front office executives from the Pacers and Hawks had extensive conversations with Toronto’s brass at the NBA G League’s Winter Showcase in Orlando this week. Both teams have consistently been linked to the Raptors for several months, Scotto notes.
If the Raptors trade Siakam, they’d be looking for young players and draft capital in return, according to Scotto, with the goal of retooling around Scottie Barnes and Anunoby.
To that end, Pacers forward Jarace Walker, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 draft, could be a name to watch in trade talks. He hasn’t played much as a rookie this season, but he’s had some strong performances in the G League. Scotto also hears the Hawks would prefer to keep Jalen Johnson, who was having a breakout third season before sustaining a fractured wrist (he was recently cleared to resume practicing in full).
Here are more rumors and notes from Scotto:
- Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen has been the subject of some trade speculation this season, but Scotto is the latest reporter to reiterate that the Finnish star is expected to stay put. According to Scotto, there are three reasons for that: Markkanen wants to remain with the Jazz, the cost of acquiring him could be exorbitant, and he could renegotiate and extend his contract in the offseason, which would bypass 2025 free agency. Multiple executives told Scotto the idea of a possible Markkanen trade was “wishful thinking.”
- There’s a “strong belief” among rival executives that the Hornets will make front office changes “by next season at the latest,” Scotto writes. If president of basketball operations Mitch Kupchak is fired or moved to a different role, Nets assistant GM Jeff Peterson and Wizards senior VP of player personnel Travis Schlenk are potential candidates to replace him, league sources tell Scotto. As Scotto writes, both Peterson and Schlenk previously worked with new Charlotte co-owner Rick Schnall in Atlanta.
- Kings guard Keon Ellis and Cavaliers guard Craig Porter Jr. are among the top candidates to be promoted to standard deals from their current two-way contracts, per Scotto. Cleveland has an open roster spot and wouldn’t necessarily need to release anyone to give Porter a raise (and make him playoff-eligible), while Sacramento has Juan Toscano-Anderson on a non-guaranteed deal.
Ellis and Craig Porter Jr 100% deserve those raises/guarantees
Kinda sad Ellis supplanted Mitchell so easily, thought he was gonna be decent after his rookie year
I never really saw it w Dav, thought he kinda milked that Cinderella NCAA run for all its worth (not that that’s his fault)
He felt like a late first rd pick to me not #9 overall
Cinderella? They were a top2 team in the nation that whole season, #1 overall seed in the tourney can’t also be a Cinderella team
If I’m Toronto I’d trading both Siakim and OG.
Both have options on their contracts and are seeking big long term investment but over the last two years the results haven’t been there.
As for how you rebuild around Scottie, I think you need to prioritise a PG that can play both on ball and off ball considering Scottie likes to create plays aswell. And I think you need to pair Scottie with another forward with some height and length that can shoot and help out inside.
Jarace Walker would be interesting, solid defender but not the best shooter, not good rebounding and not very tall or long. He’s more of a grit and grind, solid defender at PF.
Some players id be interested in would be Andrew Nembhart, Santi Aldama, Patrick Williams, James Wiseman, Taylor Hendricks and Josh Giddey.
In what world do any of those guys listed belong in the same sentence as Giddey? James Wiseman???? I would take Giddey and some of that mountain of picks for Siakam. That sounds kinda dumb for OKC though. OG stays hopefully.
It’s a list of guys I’d target not straight swaps. Giddey right now is a much better player but he’s also got obvious flaws like a lack of shooting and ability to create his own shot. Not to mention the investigation off the court.
As for how it sounds dumb for OKC I couldn’t disagree more. I think Pascal is the perfect fit for what they are trying to do. He offers championship experience, solid defensive versatility, and that pairs nicely with Chet’s thin frame but great shot blocking ability.
Plus moving Giddey opens up more playing time for Cason Wallace who’s been great.
Pascal for Bertans, Giddey, Micic and 2 heavily protected firsts
SGA Dort Williams Siakim and Chet
Veteran team that mostly has it’s championship team still together. Either trade Barnes and Dick for win now. Trade Trent, Boucher, Young and Dick to Houston for Vanfleet, Holiday and Boban. Offer Barnes, Porter , McDaniels, Jacob, the best player in the world Dennis S with 1sts to the clippers for K Leonard, Powell and Theis. Hope Lowry is bought out. Sign Danny Green and give a offer to Ibaka and Gasol. Offer pick and coach to Philly for head coach Nurse
Or keep Barnes and Dick and trade everyone else and start over. Thank you to everyone involved in our championship run
Siakam for NeSmith, Jalen Smith , Buddy and 2 firsts.
OG for Huerter and 2 firsts.
Correction 3 team trade : Raps get Giddey from OKC, NeSmith & Buddy from pacers and 2 firsts/ Pacers get Siakam/OKC gets Toppin.
OG to kings for Huerter and 2 picks.
Walker being available is something I’d explore. Scary that he is, although maybe its only at a silly price.
He’s available. Pacers don’t even play him….
Craig Porter Jr Will have to be
Put on a standard contract. That said the Cavaliers will wait until
the last possible time to do so to avoid going into the luxury tax. Or at least until after the trade deadline so that doing so will not limit their options. Of course if they keep using him they might have to do so early. Like when he gets to 50 games played.