Toronto Raptors Receive: F/C Jaren Jackson Jr., F Kyle Anderson, G De’Anthony Melton, UTA 2022 1st Round Pick (Top-6 Protected), LAL 2022 1st Round Pick (Top-10 Protected), MEM 2023 2nd Round Pick
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: F Pascal Siakam, TOR 2025 2nd Round Pick, TOR 2026 2nd Round Pick
As mentioned earlier, it is unlikely that the Toronto Raptors are going to look to move on from Pascal Siakam to begin the season, but another team that could actually show some interest at some point is the Memphis Grizzlies. GM Zach Kleiman has done an excellent job building this franchise the last few seasons and they have their leader in place with Ja Morant.
The 22-year-old point guard has been fantastic through his first two seasons in the NBA and has a chance to be a multi-time All-Star as the years progress, but in order for the Grizzlies to become a real threat in the Western Conference, he will need another All-Star-talent next to him.
Dillon Brooks is a solid secondary two-way option and Jaren Jackson Jr. has a chance to be a No. 2 option for this team, but why wait when you can add Pascal Siakam now?
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A duo of Morant and Siakam would definitely raise some eyebrows league-wide and with Brooks still on this roster, the Grizzlies would finally have a basis to begin being a real threat.
For Toronto, they not only add guys like Kyle Anderson and Jaren Jackson Jr. to try and better themselves this season, but the Raptors also get two first-round picks in 2022.
Anderson is only owed $9.9M and is in the final year of his contract, meaning the Raptors are not tied down to him long-term and De’Anthony Melton is a solid young backcourt talent that could improve their perimeter shooting.
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As for Jaren Jackson Jr., he is under contract for the 2021-22 season, but he is in the final year of his rookie deal. Toronto could possibly look to extend him long-term after the season if they were to acquire him, but they could also let him hit free agency, giving them a chunk of money between JJJ’s and Anderson’s contracts expiring next offseason.
This trade definitely gives the Raptors some options on how to build for the future and what key talents to add in the offseason, but with them just drafting Scottie Barnes at the power-forward position, plus having OG Anunoby as a combo-forward, Toronto does not necessarily need Siakam and can get away with trading him for a lot of value now.
