The Sacramento Kings reportedly are in pursuit of a trade with the Toronto Raptors for Pascal Siakam and O.G. Anunoby, but they could be facing competition from the Portland Trail Blazers.
NBA insider Chris Haynes brought up those possibilities while speaking on the “What’s Chad Doing?” podcast.
“Well, you know the Blazers have been rumored with Pascal, O.G. over there in Toronto as well,” Haynes said. “… Sacramento is on the chase for those two guys in Toronto as well.”
Haynes was responding to a question about which veteran players Damian Lillard might be looking for to join him in an effort to get the Trail Blazers deeper into the NBA Playoffs. The insider also mentioned Mikal Bridges of the Brooklyn Nets before revealing the Kings’ interest in Siakam and Anunoby.
The two Raptors forwards both have little time remaining on their contracts, and there is a belief by some around the NBA that the Raptors are expected to try again with their core players next season. Others aren’t really sure what the Raptors plan to do.
The Memphis Grizzlies reportedly had interest in Anunoby around the trade deadline this season, and the Golden State Warriors may have a desire to pull something off with Toronto involving Jordan Poole.
The Raptors reportedly were one of several teams that contacted the Washington Wizards about trading for Bradley Beal, who was eventually dealt to the Phoenix Suns. It hasn’t been revealed if Siakam or Anunoby were components of any proposal.
The 29-year-old Siakam led the Raptors with a career-high 24.2 points per game this season, his seventh with Toronto. Anunoby, who is 25, averaged 16.8 points per game in his sixth season with the Raptors. Each of them played more than 35 minutes per game.
Toronto is likely to lose Fred VanVleet this offseason after the guard opted out of his contract, but will have Gary Trent Jr. back after he picked up his option to stay in Toronto.
The Raptors failed to make the playoffs this season and have won one playoff series since capturing an NBA championship in 2019. Toronto could enter a new phase rebuilding around 21-year-old Scottie Barnes with new head coach Darko Rajakovic replacing Nick Nurse.
The trade markets for Siakam and Anunoby could wind up determining which path the Raptors ultimately choose.
