2 big players to trade Toronto Raptors soon

The Toronto Raptors have yet to really find their groove during the 2022-23 NBA season so far. They are currently 12-12 on the season and are ranked eighth in the Eastern Conference. After finishing in fifth place last season, this can certainly be considered a disappointment so far.

Part of the reason there have been some struggles is that Toronto has had to deal with a number of players coming in and out of the lineup. Pascal Siakam has already missed 10 games and Fred VanVleet six. Precious Achiuwa, who emerged as a key part of the bench towards the end of the 2021-2022 season and postseason, played in just 12 games.

Better health would definitely help the Raptors turn things around. A change in their squad composition could also lead to better results on the field. Toronto plays a non-traditional lineup as they don’t have an actual center as part of their regular rotation. The closest they come to a traditional big man is Khem Birch, who has played 13 games and averages just seven minutes per game.

That’s something the front office could look into, especially if they want to make some noise in the postseason. While Nick Nurse did a great job crafting a game plan with the roster he has, the limitations were apparent when the Philadelphia 76ers hammered them in the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Toronto Raptors Updates

If the Raptors want to make a trade, they have the pieces to do so. They were mentioned as a possible landing spot for Kevin Durant before he withdrew his trade request and were loosely tied with Donovan Mitchell before he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Two names to keep an eye on Michael Scotto from HoopsHypeare Gary Trent Jr. and OG Anunoby.

“The two most notable Raptors players to be named in trade rumors this season are Gary Trent Jr. and OG Anunoby, should Toronto explore the possibility of adding a traditional center or making a blockbuster upgrade at shooting guard .”

Trent is an explosive goalscorer on the wing and has a player option for the 2023-2024 season. If Toronto doesn’t believe it will sign him to a more lucrative long-term deal, it makes sense to explore his trading market so they can put him in some assets instead of losing him without compensation in free agency.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Toronto Raptors Updates

Anunoby was reportedly unhappy with his role with the Raptors early in the off-season and was in the trade bloc. While the Raptors declined all overtures and didn’t explicitly market him, that didn’t stop teams from calling about his availability. He is the prototypical two-way player that teams in the NBA want to build their rosters around.

Trading either can also be monetarily driven. The Raptors could move to the luxury tax next season if they sign Trent and VanVleet to new deals with raises in the offseason. If that’s not something they want to do, they’ll be motivated to make a trade involving at least one, if not both, of Trent and Anunoby to upgrade the roster.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Toronto Raptors Updates

The Indiana Pacers, with Myles Turner, or the San Antonio Spurs, with Jakob Poeltl, would make sense as trading partners for the Raptors. Based on their game plan, Turner would probably be a better fit for his perimeter skills.