People around the league are keeping tabs on the Toronto Raptors as they continue to fall in the standings. Teams have already started calling the Raptors to inquire about their core players.
Toronto is reportedly active in trade talks and open to moving players, but it seems like their asking prices are a bit high.
“League sources say Toronto is active in trade talks and open to moving players, but the asking prices have been described as ‘insane,’ ‘astronomical,’ and ‘far-fetched,'” wrote Matt Moore of Action Network.
It makes sense that the Raptors are apparently asking for a lot in return for their players. After all, the organization would surely want to be well set for the future if it were to trade away some core players.
Trade prices for Pascal Siakam and O.G. Anunoby are reportedly considered a “s—load.” Siakam is arguably the team’s best player, as he is averaging 25.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game this season. Anunoby is recording 18.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.2 steals per contest.
The stellar performances of players like Siakam, Anunoby, Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. haven’t translated to much team success for the Raptors this season.
They are currently in 12th place in the Eastern Conference with a disappointing record of 16-22. The team is on a two-game losing streak and has lost seven of its last 10 games.
It remains to be seen which path the Raptors will take this season. If they continue to drop games in bunches, they might be more inclined to trade their core players. That would enable them to begin a rebuild and and potentially give youngster Scottie Barnes the keys to the franchise.
Last season, the Raptors surprised many by going 48-34, good enough for fifth place in the tough Eastern Conference. They fell to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the playoffs in six games.
Maybe last season’s success was a fluke, or maybe the team just needs a little bit more time to get out of this current funk. There are plenty of talented players on the roster that could help turn things around for the franchise.
Toronto is only one game back of the last spot in the play-in tournament.
