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
BREAKING Trudeau promises $1B in loans for child-care providers to expand care centres
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
N.B. man wins $64 million from Lotto 6/49
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Do these exercises for core strength if you can't stomach doing planks
Planks are one of the most effective exercises for strengthening your midsection, as they target all of your major core muscles: the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, external obliques and internal obliques. Yet despite the popularity of various 10-minute plank challenges, planking is actually one of the most dreaded core exercises, according to many fitness experts.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.