The likes of Gary Trent Jr., O.G. Anunoby, and Thaddeus Young are some of the players reportedly on the trade block.
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The Toronto Raptors are one of the teams rumored to make some massive trades before the deadline, with some of their promising names up for grabs.
The likes of Gary Trent Jr., O.G. Anunoby, and Thaddeus Young are some of the players reportedly on the trade block, making them potential prospects to some of the teams looking to make the postseason.
On the season front, the Raptors aren't in dire straits yet, but they are on the backfoot with a 19-23 record and tenth place in the East. Reports of the team looking to make a few upgrades did the rounds last year. Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet were two names floated in the trade market as well. Per Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus,
“The timeline of their players don’t match,” one source told Pincus. “They have good players, but it will be interesting to see how they navigate with OG [Anunoby] and Fred [VanVleet].”
“If the Raptors are to change direction, some around the league believe now would be the time, as players tend to draw less in return when they are on expiring contracts.”
It should be noted that both these players have a year left on their deal, and now the focus is on the three aforementioned players. On that note, here's a look at what the Raptors could do by putting these three players on the trade stage.
3. Thaddeus Young
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One of the proposed trades sends Thaddeus Young back to the Chicago Bulls along with Anunoby (more on him next). With the Bulls going through a roller-coaster season, the general belief by the insiders is the team is heading into a rebuild.
Per Sports Illustrated, one of the moves would be Toronto parting with Anunoby, Young, Precious Achiuwa, their 2023 1st Round Pick (Top-4 Protected) and in return, get DeMar DeRozan, who spent nine years of his successful career along with Tony Bradley, CHI 2026 2nd Round Pick (Top-40 Protected).
The move does seem promising, and Young has been averaging 4.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists and can use a change of place to ply his trade. He has $8 million guaranteed this year in his two-year, $16 million with a $1 million partially guaranteed deal for the upcoming season. The Raptors could add him as one of the pieces in a package deal should they see fit.
2. O.G. Anunoby
Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
The forward has been playing his part for the Raptors this season averaging 18.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. Anunoby is the team's third-highest scorer.
Like Young, he has been linked to a few teams ahead of the deadline, and his four-year $72 million contract is on the verge of seeing a meteoric rise again. He is undoubtedly one of the best Toronto has to offer. Per Raptors Rapture, Anunoby's contract makes him an attractive selling option:
Anunoby’s youth, his very reasonable contract, and his blend of talents that make him malleable to any team’s scheme are why he is one of the most attractive players on the 2023 trade market. Ujiri would also be “selling high” on OG, who is having the best statistical season of his career on both ends of the court and is still only 25 years of age.
Earlier, it was reported that the New York Knicks were interested in Anunoby. A recent report from Ian Begley of SNY said they had already dialed the Raptors.
Before this most recent winning streak, someone from the club reached out to the Toronto Raptors to ask about trading for OG Anunoby. That’s a trade that would come at a significant cost -- it’s not a move you make unless you know you have to shake up your roster.
Only time will tell where the young gun lands by the end of the deadline, but expect some noise around him closer to the date.
1. Gary Trent Jr.
Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Knicks and the Phoenix Suns are some of the teams reportedly keen on adding Gary Trent Jr. to their ranks. Per Brett Siegel of FanNation, both teams have been eyeing the man who, according to NBA insider Marc Stein was "undeniably available in advance of the deadline."
Both the New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns are two teams that have a level of internal interest in Trent ahead of the deadline, sources close to both organizations tell Fastbreak on FanNation. However, the asking price Toronto for Trent has not been revealed and rival executives believe that the Raptors will be aiming to add immediate draft capital given their recent struggles this season.
Trent Jr. is a potent offensive weapon. Despite his slow start to the season, he has heated up, averaging 18.5 points, 2.3 boards, and 1.5 assists. On the contract front, he comes with an $18.6 million player option this offseason.
Sporting News proposed a trade that would send him to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Patrick Beverley, Juan Toscano-Anderson, and the 2027 first-round pick. With both Beverley and Toscano-Anderson on expiring deals, the pick comes with max value, and the franchise could look at moves for the two players as they, please.
Trent Jr. will surely be one of the players the Raptors will put on the market, especially with the team looking for a star upgrade with an eye on the future.
Player salaries via Spotrac.
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