01-17-2023, 10:59 AM
Fischer:
Quote:Could the Raptors ultimately decide to trade Siakam? Anything is possible in this world of Musical Chairs, but Toronto is only expected to seriously listen to offers for Gary Trent Jr., sources said. Fred VanVleet’s apparent trade candidacy seems far more rooted in his down performance this season, as the smaller guard approaches his 29th birthday, than the front office’s willingness to part with such a central team leader. Meanwhile, Raptors officials have left rival front offices with the impression, sources said, it would take a haul at least in the ballpark of Atlanta’s offseason price for Dejounte Murray — multiple unprotected first round picks — for Toronto to even consider parting with OG Anunoby, a known favorite of Ujiri.
Quote:As Marc Stein previously reported, Trent appears to be the most likely Raptor to be traded, and by a wide margin. Various rival executives are under the impression Toronto will even search to move Trent before the deadline, as Trent is positioned to decline next season’s $18.5 million player option and test free agency. Early indications are that Trent will be seeking upward of $25 million in average annual value before the 2023-24 campaign begins.
Trent arrived in Toronto, after all, as the result of a similar dynamic with Norm Powell before the 2021 deadline. The Raptors moved Powell to Portland in exchange for Trent, as Powell was expected to decline his player option for that following 2021-22 season. The Blazers ultimately awarded Powell a five-year, $90 million contract Toronto had little interest in extending, but the Raptors did sign Trent to his three-year, $51 million deal instead.
What would the Raptors look for in return for Trent? One inkling: Toronto has shown interest in Hornets forward Jalen McDaniels, sources said. Charlotte’s fourth-year forward would fit the same bill that Trent did two years ago. He’s set to reach unrestricted free agency this summer, where teams are projecting McDaniels to command a far lower salary than Trent — roughly $10 million per season — in the ballpark of the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
Quote:League figures are ballparking VanVleet’s next salary between $30 million and $35 million, above the threshold he could have extended for this past summer, but the length of that contract will be of note. Kyle Lowry before him did sign a three-year, $100 million agreement with the Raptors before the 2017-18 season at 31 years old.
Much of the conversation surrounding Toronto’s decision-making does stem from a matter of accounting. The Raptors will have plenty of flexibility to evade the luxury tax next season, but are currently tracking toward a monstrous payroll for 2024-25 with Siakam and Anunoby each eligible to reach free agency that summer before, especially if VanVleet’s next big deal stays on their books. And at this juncture, is this Toronto team currently one that’s worth such a hefty bill? If that seems like too far in the future to consider, 2024 free agency is less than 18 months away.
Anunoby will surely be seeking his own raise just like VanVleet. The 25-year-old forward has garnered Defensive Player of the Year buzz this season while earning under $20 million annually this year and next. His situation is actually quite similar to Murray’s before him, with the All-Star point guard’s bargain contract of $16 million average annual value setting his possible extension number far below the maximum figure he’ll become eligible for in the 2024 offseason — virtually guaranteeing Murray will reach unrestricted free agency. Anunoby and Murray also share the same representation: Klutch Sports.