2. Dennis Schroder
The Raptors figure to be one of the biggest sellers at this season’s trade deadline. They have lost four straight to fall to 9-14 after missing the playoffs in 2023. Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, and Gary Trent Jr. are all expected to become free agents in the offseason. The franchise must lock them up long-term or look to deal them.
If Toronto enters a total rebuild, Schroder will become available. He signed a two-year $25.4 million contract and is having arguably the best year of his career. The 30-year-old is dishing out a career-high 7.0 assists per game and can get buckets. His defense is subpar, but Schroder will compete on that end of the floor.
He would be a fantastic fit in Philadelphia. Schroder gives head coach Nick Nurse another quick guard who can get downhill. It would open more avenues for Joel Embiid and make the Sixers even more dangerous. Teams will sag off Schroder in the playoffs, but the rest of their high-powered attack could cover that flaw.
Will the Raptors blow it up? They decided against trading Fred VanVleet last season, and he left in free agency. They cannot afford to have the same thing happen with Siakam, Anunoby, and Trent Jr., so Toronto is a team to watch closely before Feb. 8.