TRADE RUMOURS: Knicks interested in Anunoby, Siakam destinations and more

Trade Season doesn’t slow down just because it’s Christmas!

In new reports out Friday evening, the landscape of the NBA Trade circuit was detailed — including what Toronto has in store.

Mike Scotto of Hoops Hype says the Toronto Raptors could be sellers at the deadline... for the right price.

Just so you don’t have to go and read the whole report, here are the Toronto-related notes:

Knicks Interested in Anunoby

Among some other moves the Knicks may be planning ahead of the Trade Deadline, they have their eyes on O.G Anunoby. Scotto details the brief trade inquiries between the Knicks and the Raptors last season included RJ Barrett, and that offer may still be what the Knicks are willing to give.

Unless New York is willing to pair other young talent or picks along with Barrett, it does not seem like this trade would go anywhere. Toronto has a high price for Anunoby.

Plus, with the ongoing lawsuit between these two organizations, would they be willing to make a deal at all?

A Trade Needs to Happen

One interesting part of this Scotto intel is the fact that it sounds like the Raptors know they are not good enough currently and need to make a trade. Sure, WE all know that, but the Raptors front office has a history of not liking the Trade Deadline and also have been reluctant to move away from this current core.

The interesting part is knowing they are more willing to move players this season than in the past. They most likely know they would not be able to retain both Siakam and Anunoby in free agency and have to make some decisions now — or risk having another Fred-walk-away-for-nothing scenario.

Build Around Anunoby

This report shows one thing is clear from the perspective of Toronto: they would move Siakam first before Anunoby.

Toronto seems to be willing to “do anything” to retain Anunoby in free agency. The forward is more than likely to turn down his 19.9 million dollar player option come offseason.

Scotto says here that the Raptors are more likely to trade Siakam, pursue Anunoby, and then build around him and Scottie Barnes. They would then use the return from Siakam to build a young core around those two.

Potential Trade Partners

It seems that the most likely of trade partners for the Raptors would be the Atlanta Hawks or Indiana Pacers.

Young talent such a s Jarace Walker could catch the Raptors’ eye, as well as the potential for a three-team deal between these organizations.

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All information is up to date as far as Friday December 22nd.