After Pascal Siakam trade, rebuilding Raptors probably aren't done dealing
Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri made a franchise-altering decision Wednesday, trading franchise icon Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers. In December, he sent OG Anunoby to the Knicks for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. Ujiri probably isn't done dealing, either.
Asked at a news conference Thursday about the possibility of additional trades before the Feb. 8 trade deadline, he said, "Definitely."
The most obvious trade candidate for Toronto is Bruce Brown, who the Raptors acquired in the Siakam deal. Brown (12.1 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 3.0 APG) was a star in the playoffs last season for the NBA champion Denver Nuggets and had played well this season for the Pacers. He is already on the Knicks radar, per Ian Begley of SNY.
A potential return for Brown could be Quentin Grimes. Per NBA insider Michael Scotto, the Knicks are interested in packaging Grimes, Evan Fournier and picks to make upgrades. Grimes' shooting ability from deep (39%) might interest the Raptors.
Another Toronto player who could be moved is Gary Trent Jr., who will be a free agent following the season. The bench scoring of Trent Jr. (11.7 PPG) and his shooting ability (42% from deep) should interest multiple contending teams.
The Lakers, for instance, rank 26th in the NBA in three-point shooting (35.3) and must upgrade to contend, making them a logical landing spot for Trent Jr.
Veterans Chris Boucher, Otto Porter Jr. and Thaddeus Young could also be traded as the Raptors look to rebuild. It's unlikely any of them would bring Toronto much in return, though.
Teams may also show interest in Raptors veterans Jakob Poeltl and Dennis Schroder, although those players are less likely to be dealt. Toronto traded a first-round pick for Poeltl last season before signing him to a four-year, $80M extension.
Schroder would bring value on the trade market, but with another year remaining on his contract following the 2023-24 season and his continued solid play (14.4 PPG, 6.5 APG), keeping him in Toronto may be the organization's best option.
Regardless of whether Ujiri makes additional moves at the trade deadline, the Raptors are in a new era – one in which they will aim to build a contending team around third-year sensation Scottie Barnes.
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