Siakam, Barnes ignoring trade deadline speculation as Raptors could be sellers
After seven seasons with the Toronto Raptors, Pascal Siakam is over trade deadline speculation.
"At the end of the day, we know what it is. What's the point of us coming here and talking every (expletive) -- ah, sorry -- every deadline?" Siakam said laughing as he caught himself swearing in front of several cameras.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
"Every deadline, we know (questions) are going to happen. It is what it is and whatever happens happens. I'm at a point in my career where it really doesn't matter."
Siakam may not follow the latest trade rumours, but that doesn't mean they don't exist, with many swirling around the Raptors ahead of Thursday's deadline. Toronto sits 11th in the Eastern Conference standings -- just outside the final play-in spot -- heading into Wednesday night's game against the lowly San Antonio Spurs.
That puts the team in an ideal position to be sellers, getting draft picks or players with long-term upside in return.
"I think this is always a big week for the franchise, as is, I think, draft night, as is final cuts at training camp," said head coach Nick Nurse. "I think any time there's a window whether it's large or small to improve your team in any way, I think that's always important for the franchise."
Siakam, guard Fred VanVleet, and forward O.G. Anunoby all have potential trade value for a team looking to build a contender. All three have post-season experience, with Siakam and VanVleet key parts of the Raptors' championship run in 2019.
Shooting guard Gary Trent Jr., who has a 44.7 per cent field goal percentage and a 37.3 per cent three-point percentage this season, could also be targeted by a team looking for help off the bench.
VanVleet and Trent have player options for next season, while Siakam is signed through 2023-24. Anunoby has a player option in 2024-25.
"I think they know exactly where we stand on everything from a coaching staff perspective," said Nurse when asked if Toronto's front office has consulted him on potential deals.
"Obviously, there's more conversation as things happen that are more real."
Power forward Scottie Barnes, who was named the NBA rookie of the year last season, said that like Siakam he isn't concerned about trade rumours. He didn't even follow them when he was a fan watching the league.
"I haven't really been paying attention to it," he said. "I don't really feel anything. As a team, as a group, I don't really hear anything coming from it."
Siakam said he's learned to not worry about things he can't control.
"I'm doing my job every single day," he said on the court of the Raptors practice facility. "I'm blessed to be to be able to live my dream and play the game that I love and getting compensated for it.
"It's a business and I get it. I've seen people go, I've seen people get traded here, so nothing surprises me. I don't look for anything until, you know, my phone actually rings."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 8, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
U.S. FAA launches investigation into unauthorized personnel in cockpit of Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto
The U.S.’s Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a video that appears to show unauthorized personnel in the cockpit of a charted Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto.