Raptors Continue To Explore Trade Market, Here’s Who May Be Available
The Toronto Raptors have done very little to inspire confidence in recent weeks.
Scottie Barnes has been playing out of his mind, but that hasn’t stopped the team from going 2-7 in December. A 7-15 record against Eastern Conference foes this season hasn’t helped either.
Defense was supposed to be a strength, yet Toronto has been overwhelmed both at the rim and in transition. Scoring also continues to be an issue, highlighted by a negative point differential and mediocre three-point shooting.
There have been flashes of improvement, but that’s typically been in games where the starters are being ridden more than usual – which isn’t sustainable long term. In short, the Raptors’ inability to play four full quarters continuously haunts them. Especially considering oft-lackluster performances from the bench.
Whether they rebuild or simply retool, change was needed yesterday. The clock is also ticking on Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby – two starters on expiring contracts. Who can Toronto realistically acquire?
Keegan Murray
The Raptors are expected to take a run at Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray, according to Yahoo! Sports’ Jake Fischer.
Fischer goes on to say that Sacramento management may consider a player of his caliber to be a steep return for one of Siakam or Anunoby – especially given the role he’s taken on in the wake of Harrison Barnes’ declining play.
On the other hand, narratives like that didn’t seem to stop the Kings from dealing Tyrese Haliburton in the past. Murray would naturally be a welcomed addition despite Toronto’s more glaring need at guard.
For the money to work, Anunoby is a much more likely return than Siakam. The Raptors might also consider inquiring about Davion Mitchell, who Sacramento is apparently open to dealing away.
Mitchell comes with a pedigree as the 9th overall pick in the 2021 draft but has struggled mightily since having a decent rookie year. At the current moment, he’s not much different than Malachi Flynn, but a Murray and Mitchell-for-Anunoby swap does make sense for both sides.
At age 23, Murray is at least three years younger than other key starters such as De’Aaron Fox (26) and Domantas Sabonis (27). For a team trying to be competitive right now, Anunoby (26) is a better fit and would thrive in a No. 3 role.
Jonathan Kuminga
A trade for Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga could potentially be seen as a ‘committed to rebuilding’ type move, but he’s exactly the kind of player the Raptors should be targeting.
The best is yet to come for the 21-year-old power forward who was taken 7th overall in the 2021 draft. That said, the Warriors may not have time to wait considering the ages of Steph Curry (35), Klay Thompson (33), and Andrew Wiggins (28).
Now that Draymond Green has been indefinitely suspended, Golden State just so happens to have a Siakam-sized hole in their lineup. Now 29 years old, Siakam is exactly the kind of power forward the Warriors need if they’re serious about running it back while Curry and Thompson are still around.
It also makes a lot of sense given that Siakam is much more likely to re-sign with Golden State than he would be with most other teams. A package starting with Kuminga and Chris Paul would make the money work, and perhaps Toronto could pry away 21-year-old guard Moses Moody as well.
Jarace Walker
The Raptors could be offered Jarace Walker as a part of a trade package targeting Anunoby, according to NBA analyst Jake Weinbach.
Toronto may have taken a shot on Walker during the 2023 draft, had he been available at No. 13. Trade rumors between Toronto and the Indiana Pacers have more often included the likes of Bennedict Mathurin and Obi Toppin, but Walker is definitely an interesting piece.
Walker has struggled to find meaningful minutes despite being taken 8th overall at last year’s draft and has also spent time in the G League. Things have gone well during his time with the Indiana Mad Ants, where he’s averaging 26 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.4 steals over 33.7 minutes as a 20-year-old.
Other rumored parts of a potential offer include a pair of 23-year-olds in Canadian guard Andrew Nembhard as well as forward Jalen Smith (although he’s been used more at center over the past two seasons). 25-year-old Jordan Nwora could be up for grabs as well.
The only problem is that this trade screams ‘rebuilding’, which Toronto’s front office has been steadfastly against. On the other hand, a package involving some combination of those players as well as draft picks is precisely the Rudy Gay-esque trade that could benefit the Raptors for years to come.
Buddy Hield would likely have to be involved from a money perspective, but he’s a flip-worthy asset that could also help address Toronto’s shooting woes in the interim.
Anunoby would be a great No. 3 behind Haliburton and Myles Turner as well, with a better-than-usual chance at re-signing given his ties to Indiana from college.
