The Raptors Shake Up The Roster
Photo Credit: Petre Thomas/USA Today via New York Post
The Raptors have made major changes to their roster before the trade deadline. Several new players have been added to the roster, and the only remaining player from the 2018–19 championship team is Chris Boucher. The Raptors have made multiple trades of star players and are hoping to rebuild to the level that they were once at.
The Raptors traded OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and Malachi Flynn to the Knicks in exchange for Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, and a 2024 second-round pick.
OG Anunoby, who currently averages 15.1 points per game, is considered one of the best defenders and two-way players in the league. Anunoby was named to the 2022–23 NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and his departure diminishes some defensive and offensive versatility for the Raptors.
Also in the trade package were Precious Achiuwa, who averaged 7.7 points, and Malachi Flynn, who averaged 5.1 points per game off the bench. Achiuwa and Flynn were important players for the Raptors’ second unit.
After this swap, the Raptors’ bench will lose some depth. "It's never easy to say goodbye, especially when players like OG and Malachi have spent their careers with our team," Raptors President Masai Ujiri said. "We wish Precious, Malachi and OG all the best."
The trade is a homecoming for RJ Barrett, who averages 18.2 points per game and is in the first year of a 4-year, $107 million contract, according to The Sporting News. Barrett, who is 23 years old, has a lot of potential and will become a major player on the Raptors roster in the future. "RJ is a versatile wing who is, of course, well-known in his hometown, and seeing him in a Raptors uniform will be a special moment for our fans and for all Canadians,” said Ujiri.
Additionally, the acquisition of Immanuel Quickley will add to the Raptors’ list of young rising stars. Quickley is one of the league’s best reserves, averaging 15 points per game, and he was the runner-up for the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award last season. The pick-and-roll and scoring ability of Quickley as a point guard adds pace to the Raptors’ offence. "Immanuel is a young, talented playmaker who we believe will provide a spark on both ends of the court," Ujiri said in a press release. Although Quickley is in the final year of a four-year contract, the Raptors can re-sign him in the offseason.
The second-round pick comes via Detroit, who currently has the worst record in the NBA. The NBA draft order is chosen based on the win percentage of each team, meaning a lower win percentage equals a higher draft pick, so it should be a high selection, which would add to the Raptors’ list of rookie prospects.
In a three-team deal, the Raptors traded Pascal Siakam to the Pacers for Bruce Brown Jr., Jordan Nwora, Kira Lewis Jr., two 2024 first-round picks, and a 2026 first-round pick. The Pelicans received cap relief.
Pascal “Spicy P” Siakam is a two-time all-star and two-time all-NBA team player. Siakam, who averages 22.2 points per game, is one of the most important players in the history of the Raptors organization. "Pascal is a champion, an integral part of winning teams and an example of what can be achieved with dedication, perseverance, hard work and tenacity," said Ujiri. According to The Sporting News, Siakam is in the last year of a four-year, $136.9 million contract, which frees up cap space for the Raptors, allowing them to sign new players during the offseason. The departure of Siakam alters the Raptors’ ability to rebound and pressure the opposing team.
In exchange, the Raptors acquired Bruce Brown Jr., who is averaging 12.1 points and is a two-way player. Brown adds toughness on the court and will likely become a major second-unit player or even a starter. Jordan Nwora (5.2 points per game) and Kira Lewis (2.9 points per game) add depth to the Raptors’ bench. Both Nwora and Lewis are young players with potential.
"This is a time of change for our team, and we welcome Bruce, Jordan and Kira to the Raptors and to Toronto," said Ujiri. "Bruce is a world champion, and we look forward to his two-way play and added toughness on the court.” The potential key to the trade for Toronto is acquiring multiple draft picks, allowing the Raptors to add to their list of prospects for their rebuilding process. At the start of the season, the Raptors had no draft picks in the 2024 NBA draft.
The recent trades involving key players like Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby mark a significant time of change for the Raptors. Although these departures may raise questions about the team’s ability to rebuild to its former level, the acquisitions of promising players like RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Bruce Brown Jr., Jordan Nwora, and Kira Lewis Jr., along with multiple first-round draft picks, signal a new era of growth and potential. While bidding farewell to beloved players is never easy, President Masai Ujiri’s vision for the future of the Raptors suggests that the team is primed to embark on an exciting new journey.