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Siakam, Barnes ignoring trade deadline speculation
#Siakam #Barnes #ignoring #commerce #deadline #hypothesis
TORONTO – After seven seasons with the Toronto Raptors, Pascal Siakam is over commerce deadline hypothesis.
“On the finish of the day, we all know what it’s. What’s the purpose of us coming right here and speaking each (expletive) — ah, sorry — each deadline?” Siakam mentioned laughing as he caught himself swearing in entrance of a number of cameras.
“Each deadline, we all know (questions) are going to occur. It’s what it’s and no matter occurs occurs. I’m at a degree in my profession the place it actually doesn’t matter.”
Siakam might not comply with the most recent commerce rumours, however that doesn’t imply they don’t exist, with many swirling across the Raptors forward of Thursday’s deadline. Toronto sits eleventh within the Japanese Convention standings — simply exterior the ultimate play-in spot — heading into Wednesday evening’s sport towards the lowly San Antonio Spurs.
That places the staff in a super place to be sellers, getting draft picks or gamers with long-term upside in return.
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“I believe that is at all times a giant week for the franchise, as is, I believe, draft evening, as is remaining cuts at coaching camp,” mentioned head coach Nick Nurse. “I believe any time there’s a window whether or not it’s giant or small to enhance your staff in any approach, I believe that’s at all times vital for the franchise.”
Siakam, guard Fred VanVleet, and ahead O.G. Anunoby all have potential commerce worth for a staff trying to construct a contender. All three have post-season expertise, with Siakam and VanVleet key components of the Raptors’ championship run in 2019.
Taking pictures guard Gary Trent Jr., who has a 44.7 per cent subject purpose share and a 37.3 per cent three-point share this season, may be focused by a staff searching for assist off the bench.
VanVleet and Trent have participant choices for subsequent season, whereas Siakam is signed by means of 2023-24. Anunoby has a participant possibility in 2024-25.
“I believe they know precisely the place we stand on every thing from a training workers perspective,” mentioned Nurse when requested if Toronto’s entrance workplace has consulted him on potential offers.
“Clearly, there’s extra dialog as issues occur which might be extra actual.”
Energy ahead Scottie Barnes, who was named the NBA rookie of the 12 months final season, mentioned that like Siakam he isn’t involved about commerce rumours. He didn’t even comply with them when he was a fan watching the league.
“I haven’t actually been being attentive to it,” he mentioned. “I don’t actually really feel something. As a staff, as a gaggle, I don’t actually hear something coming from it.”
Siakam mentioned he’s discovered to not fear about issues he can’t management.
“I’m doing my job each single day,” he mentioned on the courtroom of the Raptors observe facility. “I’m blessed to be to have the ability to reside my dream and play the sport that I really like and getting compensated for it.
“It’s a enterprise and I get it. I’ve seen folks go, I’ve seen folks get traded right here, so nothing surprises me. I don’t search for something till, you already know, my cellphone truly rings.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Feb. 8, 2023.
© 2023 The Canadian Press
