REPORT: Sacramento’s interest in Toronto’s trade assets seems to be waning

After seemingly being a trade target for the Sacramento Kings, it appears their interest on Anunoby has fizzled out for now.

With December 15th come and gone and the trade market officially opening up, the trade rumours have been flowing throughout the NBA. Toronto is heavily involved in a lot of these, given their 10-15 record and the fact that two of their biggest stars are on expiring deals. The Toronto Raptors are expected to be sellers at the this year’s trade deadline.

After the fiasco of the Raptors’ last trade deadline transactions, one determining factor that may cause trade prospects to differ is the price tag on some of these players. Top of mind in trade talks for Toronto are both Pascal Siakam and O.G. Anunoby.

Siakam’s contract expires at the end of the season, while Anunoby is expected to decline his 19.9 million dollar player option come free agency. So will Toronto finally make moves at the deadline? Or will this become another problem to solve in free agency?

Well, last week rumours were swirling that the up and comer Sacramento Kings were interesting in one or both of Siakam and Anunoby. Today, according to the latest report from Sam Amick of The Athletic, the “massive cost” of retaining both players in the offseason isn’t worth the assets they would have to give up for them now.

Knowing Masai, he isn’t going to give up either of these players on a cheap deal. Last year when Anunoby was rumoured to be in trade talks the price was apparently more second-round draft picks.

Yet, according to Amick, Anunoby in particular doesn’t seem to be of “significant interest” to the Sacramento Kings. Maybe this is because he reports their focus is on offence while Anunoby is notoriously a defensive player.

Still, we know the price is going to be high for Siakam and Anunoby (expiring deals or not). It’s just a matter of whether the Toronto Raptors front office likes any of the offers on the table or not.