The Raptors have long been expected to be among the most active teams at the 2023 NBA trade deadline, which is set for Thursday, Feb. 9 at 3 p.m. ET.
From Fred VanVleet and O.G. Anunoby to Gary Trent Jr. and possibly even Pascal Siakam, Toronto has a group of players who have been reported in trade rumors and could add value to contending teams looking to bolster their roster.
MORE: Latest Raptors rumors, reports and updates ahead of trade deadline
That sentiment hasn't changed, as Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer reported on Tuesday that "the road through the NBA trade deadline appears to run primarily through Toronto." He mentioned that "league personnel continue to downplay the likelihood that Toronto moves All-Star forward Pascal Siakam," but Anunoby, VanVleet and Trent Jr. are all still on the market.
While VanVleet is now seen as "the most likely Raptor to be traded ahead of Thursday's deadline," per Fischer, Anunoby has received interest from a long list of teams, including the Pelicans, Grizzlies, Knicks, Pacers, Trail Blazers, Lakers, Suns and Nets.
MORE: Pelicans, Grizzlies reportedly in bidding war over Anunoby
There is one catch, though. With All-Star guard Kyrie Irving being traded from Brooklyn to Dallas in a blockbuster deal over the weekend, teams that are operating as buyers may be a little more stingy with their assets in case the Nets' other star becomes available this offseason.
"Officials from multiple teams also told Yahoo Sports they expect the number of front offices quietly preparing for Kevin Durant to become available via trade this offseason will likely dampen the Raptors' bidding war for Anunoby's services, at least to some degree."
Fischer also mentioned that there has been no indication a Durant trade request is coming soon.
Kevin Durant contract details
Following the 2020-21 season, Durant signed a four-year, $194 million contract extension to remain in Brooklyn through the 2025-26 season. That means he'll hit unrestricted free agency in 2026 when he'll be heading into his age 38 season.
| 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | 2026 | |
| Kevin Durant's salary | $42,969,845 | $46,407,433 | $49,856,021 | $53,282,608 | UFA |
MORE: The complete Raptors trade deadline primer
As we saw this past summer, that extension hasn't stopped Durant from requesting a trade before. Even after Irving elected to pick up his player option to remain with the Nets for the 2022-23 season, Durant still decided to make an official trade request to Brooklyn's front office.
No team could reach the Nets' asking price for one of the greatest scorers of all time, so Durant had no choice but to stick with Brooklyn.
Now, with Irving gone, will Durant request another trade and have the Nets test the market again this offseason? That is to be determined, but one thing has been made clear this season — the former MVP still has plenty left in the tank. Before suffering an MCL sprain, Durant was averaging 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game on .559/.376/.934 shooting splits, leading the Nets to one of the best records in the East.
It's safe to assume that if Durant does become available this summer, teams won't be nearly as hesitant to take a big swing on the four-time scoring champion.
