Will Raptors trade Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby or Fred VanVleet? Next team odds hint at free agency future

The Raptors ended the 2022-23 season with a largely unsatisfying and underwhelming thud.

After falling unceremoniously to the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament, Toronto enters the offseason flush with questions aplenty about its suddenly uncertain future. 

While they didn't enter this past season with opulent visions of grandeur and expectations of ticker tape parades through Jurassic Park, the Raptors seemed destined to at the very least compete in a meaningful way in the East. They entered with an over-under of 46.5 wins — tied for seventh in the conference — with an optimistic public perception as 66% of bettors took the over. 

Instead, they limped to a 41-41 record and now enter the offseason full of question marks. So rampant is the speculation that betting markets are offering odds on where some key pieces might land if they decide to move on from Toronto.

BetOnline, here are the latest odds on potential landing spots for three of Toronto's foundational pieces.

Pascal Siakam's next team

• 2023-24 Salary: $37.9 million
• Years left on contract: 1

Siakam has one year left on his deal. Although he flirted with once again making All-NBA honors, it was once again and up-and-down season for the All-Star who averaged a career-highs for points (24.2) and assists (5.8) per game.

He just turned 29 and there's little doubt that Siakam remains a highly effective two-way player in the absolute prime of his career. And yet since the Raptors lost Kawhi Leonard to free agency following their championship run in 2019, they haven't had much prolonged success building around Siakam as a No. 1 option. Coming off career highs and on an expiring contract, Siakam would surely fetch a large haul on the trade market if Masai Ujiri elects to blow it up and enter a full rebuild around Scottie Barnes. 

In a vacuum, both the Thunder and Warriors seem like fun and logical fits. It's not crazy to imagine Siakam filling the role as a second banana to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — just as he once did next to Leonard — on a young championship nucleus in OKC. Likewise, Siakam's unselfish two-way play seems to be a perfect fit in Golden State next to Stephen Curry and whoever else remains following their own uncertain offseason.

OG Anunoby's next team

• 2023-24 Salary: $18.6 million
• Years left on contract: 2

There was real interest in Anunoby at the trade deadline. On a team-friendly deal, the NBA's league leader in steals who shoots 40% from the 3-point line is the prototypical 3-and-D wing who could fetch in excess of three or even four first-round picks.

His salary for the next two seasons runs probably $12-15 million below market value in each season making him an incredible asset for any team willing to give up the bounty.

So why trade him?

When Anunoby becomes a free agent in the summer of 2025, he'll be turning 28 and right smack in the thick of his prime. He'll also command a hefty deal likely in the neighborhood of at least $30-35 million per year, if not more. Would the Raptors really want to commit that much if they're not yet ready to contend? Or would the return better fit a timeline that is realistically three to five years in the future, assuming they do move forward on a rebuild?

Among the teams listed, the Kings are my personal favorite landing spot as he would be the perfect running mate to slot alongside De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. Sacramento itself will either need to resign or move on from Harrison Barnes and Anunoby represents a younger, more athletic upgrade that allows them to match up with the Kevin Durants, Kawhi Leonards, and Jayson Tatums of the world.

Fred VanVleet's next team

• 2023-24 Salary: $22.8 million (Player Option)
• Years left on contract: 0 or 1

VanVleet will almost assuredly decline his player option for next season, making him an unrestricted free agent. 

He will almost certainly command a deal similar to the 4-yr/$104 million dollar contract inked by Jalen Brunson with the Knicks last summer. As with Siakam, are the Raptors truly ready to commit another big contract to a player best suited to be a third option on a championship caliber team?

A proven winner, steady hand and borderline All-Defensive team caliber guard, VanVleet is the perfect fit as for an up-and-coming team with its franchise player already in-house and ready to make a leap. That's why the Magic — with Paulo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr. and one more lottery pick via Chicago on the way — make a ton of sense.

VanVleet also makes sense on either of the L.A. teams, either reuniting with Leonard and Norm Powell on the Clippers or operating as a win-now third option for LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the Lakers.

Will Nick Nurse return as head coach

• Yes: -200
• No: +150

There is lots of smoke that Nurse — who has been with the Raptors for a decade, half as an assistant and half as the head coach — could be ready for a change of scenery.

Part of the reason that so many names, most notably Siakam, are circling the rumor mill is due to some potential acrimony with Nurse. A brilliant X's and O's mastermind, Nurse could likely have his pick of any open job should he opt to leave. And the Raptors, with a proven front office and stable ownership, would likewise be able to land almost any candidate it so chooses.

Something has to give.

If Nurse returns, bet on a roster shakeup. If the roster returns, all signs point to a new voice in the locker room next season.