Rival Teams Expect Raptors to Deal Ahead of Trade Deadline

With the season slowly slipping away and a West Coast trip looming, rival teams are expecting the Raptors to make some moves before the Feb. 9 trade deadline, as relayed by Steve Bulpett of Heavy Sports.

“I’d be surprised if Toronto doesn’t do anything,” one league executive told Bulpett. “They need a big body.”

The Raptors (21-27) entered Wednesday in 12th place in the Eastern Conference.

Guard Fred VanVleet, guard/forward Gary Trent Jr., and forward OG Anunoby are the Raptors seemingly mentioned most in trade rumors. That’s especially the case with VanVleet, who can become a free agent after the season. 

“He’s a winner,” the exec told Bulpett. “He’s not having a great year, but I’ll take him.”

Meanwhile, league sources have told Hoops Wire that the Raptors consider forwards Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes off-limits in trade talks.

“Something’s got to start happening, and not just in Toronto,” the exec told Bulpett. “I think the teams that you think are going to do something are probably going to do something, because they can’t stand pat. They just can’t.”

From @SteveBHoop, trade-rumor buzz about the @Raptors, John Collins, Kyle Kuzma and more. Check it out at @HeavyOnSports:https://t.co/e3FE3LPzJA

— Sean Deveney (@SeanDeveney) January 25, 2023