NBA Rumors: One Toronto Raptor "Undeniably" Available On Trade Market

As the entire NBA watches closely to see which way the Toronto Raptors are leaning, a new report from NBA Insider Marc Stein has an update for us based on his sources:

While Gary Trent Jr. is undeniably available in advance of the deadline, I wouldn't expect a broad fire sale. One league source cautioned me recently to downplay any notion of a Raptors selloff.

The reasoning for the team to hold off on a fire sale, as Stein explains, is simple. With the new "flattened" lottery odds, the Raptors' current spot, which is the 6th-worst record in the league, still gives them some reasonable odds at winning the lottery and a chance at generational talent Victor Wembanyama. Even without trading away any talent. 

But, of course, teams are always leveraging the media to send out the messages they'd like rivals to hear to strengthen their bargaining positions, so anything is still possible. 

But as of now, Trent, who will be opting out of his $18.5M player option at season's end to chase a contract with an AAV north of $20M, is the only Raptor known to be available. "Undeniably", as Stein put it. 

And Stein has one more certainty to leave us with for now:

It would take lots — LOTS — to pry either O.G. Anunoby or Pascal Siakam away from the Raptors, who have been firm in their desire to keep both players.

 

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