With his team at 15-25 on the season, Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri has already thrown in the towel for the season. It’s now all about a complete rebuild in Canada.
Wednesday’s trade of two-time All-Star forward Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers for a package highlighted by three future first-round picks adds another layer to this.
It was also back in late December that Toronto dealt away fellow star forward OG Anunoby in a blockbuster trade to the conference-rival New York Knicks.
We’re certainly expecting more moves from Toronto ahead of the Feb. 8 NBA trade deadline. The team has veterans that could be attractive for contenders around the Association. Below, we look at three such players who could be dealt here in the next few weeks.
Related: Updated NBA trade rumors
Toronto Raptors acquire assets in Jakob Poeltl trade
There is absolutely no reason to keep a 28-year-old center who has already reached his ceiling and has no real perimeter game. Sure, Poeltl has been good this season (league-leading .685 shooting percentage). But he’s limited on the offensive end of the court (10.5 PPG).
Someone of Poeltl’s ilk is a unique fit for a contending team. Some are in the market for a big like the veteran. Pure conjecture here, but the Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns could very well make sense.
Dennis Schroder heads out of town ahead of NBA trade deadline
The Toronto Raptors’ acquisition of Immanuel Quickley in the aforementioned Anunoby trade should make this veteran point guard expendable. Quickley, 24, is averaging 18.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists in eight games (all starts) with Toronto. He’s the future at this position up north.
There is also some good news on this front for a Raptors team that is now in the process of collecting assets. The 30-year-old Schroder only has one more year left on his deal after 2023-24 at $13.03 million. This makes him somewhat of an attractive option for contending teams ahead of the NBA trade deadline. At the very least, acquiring a couple second-round picks and a salary filler could be in the cards here.
Related: How to watch the Toronto Raptors in 2024
Toronto Raptors trade the underperforming Gary Trent Jr.
There is a scenario in play here that suggests the Raptors could take on a long-term contract while being able to acquire draft assets for Grent’s expiring deal. Trent is in the midst of his worst performance since 2019-20, averaging a mere 11.3 points on 41% shooting. He, too, is expendable with R.J. Barrett having come over from the Knicks.
The idea here would be for the Raptors to move Trent’s expiring $18.5 million contract while taking on a longer-term deal. This could net the them a first-round pick and change. It’s similar to what the Oklahoma City Thunder had done in recent years as they attempted a full-scale rebuild. Look at how that’s working out this season in OKC.