It was reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski recently that pretty much all of the talks surrounding the NBA trade deadline have involved the Toronto Raptors.
Canada’s favorite NBA team is in the midst of a disastrous season in which it currently boasts a 25-30 record and is the 11th seed in the Eastern Conference.
It has led to widespread speculation that the likes of Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr. and OG Anunoby could be on the block ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.
The backdrop here is something rather interesting that unfolded in Toronto two days before the aforementioned deadline.
Siakam was meeting with reporters on Tuesday with the deadline itself being brought up. His response wasn’t exactly friendly to the Raptors’ organization and what’s unfolding behind the scenes.
“I never know. I never know what’s happening. Even when you guys ask me all these questions, I don’t know what’s going on. I’m focused on the game and that’s pretty much it. At the end of the day, we know what it is. What’s the point of us coming here and talking ever f**king – ah, sorry, every deadline?”
Toronto Raptors star Pascal Siakam on NBA trade deadline
That seems to be the reaction of an All-Star who is frustrated with not only media inquiries, but the process as a whole. According to Michael Grange of Sportsnet, Raptors front office head Masai Ujiri “motioned for Siakam to join him in an offive adjacent to the practice floor” after he made these comments.
Oh boy. To be a fly on the wall for that conversation.
Related: 5 blockbuster trades we’d love to see ahead of the NBA trade deadline
Toronto Raptors NBA trade deadline plans
All of this comes with Siakam being linked to the Brooklyn Nets in a potential blockbuster deal. Brooklyn was looking to expand the Kyrie Irving trade with the Dallas Mavericks to include the Raptors before the two-team deal was made official Monday evening.
In addition to Siakam, the Nets have interest in both Anunoby and VanVleet. As for Toronto, it’s being reported that Ben Simmons has been linked to the struggling Eastern Conference team. The Raptors also apparently offered up a first-round pick for young Nets center Nic Claxton during last season’s NBA trade deadline.
What we do know is that the status quo is not working in Toronto despite Siakam’s continued brilliance in the frontcourt.
- Pascal Siakam stats (2022-23): 24.7 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 6.2 APG, 47% shooting
If the Toronto Raptors do in fact deal Siakam ahead of Thursday’s deadline, they will receive a king’s ransom.