As most NBA fans know by now, the Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks completed a blockbuster trade on Saturday. The Raptors received Toronto native RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley in a five-player deal. The Raptors also received a valuable 2024 second-round draft pick from the Knicks (via Detroit Pistons) that projects to be the first or second pick in the second round. They sent OG Anunoby, Malachi Flynn, and Precious Achiuwa to the Knicks.
Toronto Raptors Rumors: What The Blockbuster Trade Means For Raptors and What’s Next As Trade Deadline Approaches?
Toronto played shorthanded on Saturday night last night. The Raptors fell to 12-20 on the season as they dropped a 129-127 decision to the Detroit Pistons, who snapped their NBA-record-tying 28-game losing streak. Pascal Siakam led the way with 35 points, and Dennis Schroder tallied 28. The Raptors have lost two straight and seven of their last 10.
Toronto has plenty of decisions to make in the months and could be sellers at the NBA trade deadline as the Raptors sit tied in 12th place in the Eastern Conference. What to do with Siakam, an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, is the biggest upcoming decision for the Raptors.
Why Toronto Made The Deal?
Toronto decided to change the franchise’s direction after they missed the playoffs for the second time in five years in 2022-23. The Raptors fired Nick Nurse as they finished ninth in the Eastern Conference with a 41-41 record, eight fewer victories than 2021-22. Toronto lost to the Chicago Bulls in the 9-10 play-in game.
In the offseason, Toronto lost Fred VanVleet in free agency after opting out of his deal with the Raptors. But Gary Trent Jr unexpectedly opted into his $18.6 million options this summer, and the Raptors re-signed Jakob Poeltl to a four-year, $78 million deal. The Raptors also didn’t trade or extend Anunoby or Siakiam, who are expected to be unrestricted free agents this offseason.
Toronto is ranked in the middle of the league in nearly every category, ranking 17th in offensive efficiency and 15th in defensive rating. The Raptors struggled in efficiency on their 2-point shots, ranking 12th in 2-point field goal percentage despite ranking fourth in 2-point makes and attempts. The Raptors also struggled shooting from beyond the arc and defending the 3-point line. They also had a -1.3 scoring margin.
More importantly, the Raptors didn’t consider Anunoby a good fit alongside Scottie Barnes. The Raptors want to build around Barnes. Barrett and Quickley are 23 and 24, respectively, while Barnes is 22. Barrett has three years and $88 million on his deal, though Quickley will be a restricted free agent.
“It’s a reboot around Scottie Barnes, that’s for sure,” one source told Michael Grange of SportsNet.Ca.
Quickley will likely want a considerable pay increase this offseason. Before starting the season, he was reportedly seeking a deal similar to the one Devin Vassell got from San Antonio (five years, $135MM, plus $11MM in incentives). But the Raptors will have the right to match offer sheets, so don’t expect them to be outbid.
How RJ Barrett and Isaiah Quickley Fits
While Anunoby was considered an excellent complementary piece, Barrett has widely been praised for his potential. Barrett is an elite-level scorer, but he is inconsistent and not a great decision-maker. Plus, he doesn’t shoot it well from deep. Although not close to the versatile Anunoby is on the defensive end, Barrett is considered a good wing defender.
Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic talked to The Athletic’s Eric Koreen about how Barrett will likely affect the Raptors’ offense.
Darko on OG: "RJ is a very dynamic player. He is a very good cutter, good driver, an improved spot-up shooter, as well. I'm really excited to see how he's going to jell with our team."
— (((Eric Koreen))) (@ekoreen) December 30, 2023
Quickley and Barrett are slated to join Barnes, Siakam, and Poeltl in the starting lineup. As Zach Kram of The Ringer pointed out, the Raptors’ new starting unit may still have “spacing issues, but it carries much more upside and intrigue.’
Quickley and Barrett are expected to make their debuts for the Raptors tonight, as neither player is listed on the injury report. Toronto hosts the Cleveland Cavaliers at 7:30 p.m. (ET).
Quickley is reportedly the jewel of the deal. Quickley is extremely fast and an electric three-level scorer who is a good defender. He provides the Raptors with another legitimate 3-point threat besides Barnes and Trent. The question is whether he can take a leap as a lead ballhandler as Quickley is taking over for Schroder at point guard. Schroder is better coming off the bench anyway, as his defensive liabilities can be hidden a little.
How The Raptors Will Fill The Hole Left by Achiuwa’s Departure
With the trade, Toronto has an open roster spot. The Raptors also created a $4.4 million trade exception and are now $1.7 million from the NBA tax line.
However, the trade did leave the Raptors shorthanded up front.
Achiewa isn’t a high effecient player though he did provide the Raptors scoring, energy and rebounding off the bench. He averaged 7.7 points and 5.4 rebounds in 17.5 minutes with most minutes, with most of those minutes coming at center.
So, Achiewa’s departure likely means Chris Boucher could see an uptick from his 14-minute average as he is the prohibitive favorite to be Poeltl’s primary backup. Otto Porter Jr., Jalen McDaniels, and Thaddeus Young are also in line to grab more minutes.
So, What’s Next For The Raptors?
With the Raptors interested in changing their timeline, Siakam is one of several Raptors’ who could be dealt with as the trade deadline approaches. This revelation of Siakam being on the market isn’t a surprise. There have been many rumors that several teams were interested in the 29-year-old forward since last February, with speculation heating up this past summer.
League sources told Grange that Siakam is likely to continue to garner interest from the Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, and the Dallas Mavericks. However, more teams are expected to become interested in the two-time all-star as the February trade deadline approaches.
If the Raptors don’t trade Siakam, they risk losing him for nothing, as he will seek a max contract. With the Raptors’ salary cap situation, they are in no position to pay him that much. However, he does remain extension eligible.
The Toronto Raptors are also now in a position to generate north of $36 million in 2024 cap space while being able to re-sign Immanuel Quickley, but that would require not re-signing Pascal Siakam. A Siakam trade soon could mean they have serious cap space plans this summer. https://t.co/sZ4zzuw31X
— Yossi Gozlan (@YossiGozlan) December 30, 2023
Trent also could be on the move. Trent will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. He is only 24 years old and an above-average 3-point shooter. However, Trent doesn’t provide much more except a little defense. But teams are always looking for shooters, so there should be a market.
The Athletic’s Sam Veccinie has Trent at No. 11 of his top trade targets. He believes the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers make sense for Trent. Veccinie also believes the price tag for Trent is a few second rounders.
Additionally, the Raptors have the expiring contracts of Young and Porter Jr. that could be included in any deal.
Who have The Raptors Been Eyeing In Trade Returns
So, who could the Raptors bring back in any trade?
Toronto reportedly had talks about Jalen Johnson when they previously talked with the Atlanta Hawks about out a trade, according to HoopsHype Michael Scotto. However, it is unknown how likely the Hawks would be interested, including the 22-year-old forward, as he is enjoying a breakout campaign.
If the Hawks’ don’t want to part with Johnson, perhaps Saddiq Bey, AJ Griffin, and Kobe Bufkin, along with draft capital, would satisfy Toronto.
Scotto added that Sacramento Kings’ Keegan Murray is off-limits in any trade. So, would the Kings’ have anyone that interests the Raptors?
Another name that Scotto mentioned was Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker. The No. 8 2023 draft pick has seen a total of 85 minutes in nine appearances with the Pacers this year.
