LATEST UPDATE: Three Raptors players most likely to be traded in 2024

Although December 15 is referred to as the unofficial start of the NBA trade season, that is merely a technical distinction. The NBA trade season typically doesn’t start in earnest until the new year, and even then, the trades don’t start to come in until close to the deadline.

The rationale behind player trades and Zach LaVine’s potential stay in Chicago
Although Zach LaVine has been the most well-known player in the NBA trade mill this season, his absence indicates who else is there and he is not among the three players who are most likely to be transferred in 2024. LaVine is now injured, had a poor season, and owes $138 million between 2024–2025 and 2026–2027.

Although LaVine is a great player, the Bulls have every right to hold out for a better offer because his market has been sluggish, particularly in the middle of the season. The Bulls don’t have to sell low with LaVine; teams only do so when necessary. Though the likelihood is low, this doesn’t mean a company won’t freak out and give a huge package for LaVine.

All three of these players have one thing in common: they’re close to being free agents, they’re in good condition, they’re producing well, and their worth isn’t at its lowest. Deals are driven by organizations, and incentives propel them. In early 2024, these three players have the highest likelihood of being traded.

3. Siakam Pascal
This season, Pascal Siakam’s output has somewhat decreased as the Toronto Raptors have given Scottie Barnes greater offensive responsibilities. Nevertheless, the two-time All-NBA star is still a very productive player. Siakam is a master of none star and a jack of all trades. He can defend several positions, creates plays well, especially for a striker, and scores goals consistently and effectively. Apart from making 3-pointers, Siakam is one of the most adaptable players. Any squad that doesn’t need a lot of shooting would benefit from having him.

The Raptors initiated a youth movement when they traded OG Anunoby for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. Siakam, 29, is in the final year of his deal. Siakam is still a very productive player, but the Raptors are building for the future, and his schedule isn’t compatible with the other players on the team.

Siakam might be useful to any squad hoping to compete this year and in the near future. He is a rare forward with the ability to defend, score, and pass. He also plays well both with and without the ball.

Siakam’s return to Toronto might not be as exciting as expected. He is approaching the last six months of his contract, so any team that wants to sign him in the summer will need to pay a huge salary and give up about $40 million in income. While Anunoby brought in two young players for the Raptors and the Pistons’ 2024 second-round pick, Siakam’s return will likely be rather less substantial. Depending on the caliber of the matching salary, his asking price ought to be a first-round selection. The Raptors may be able to acquire an additional choice if they sign a terrible contract.

Seeking the price to get Siakam from Toronto should be the first priority for any team in need of an improvement right now. In the event that they don’t think they can retain Klay Thompson again and wish to include his $40 million deal that is about to expire, the Golden State Warriors might be a viable option. Given their acute need for defense, the Pacers, who have been associated with Siakam for a long time, seem like a natural choice. The Sixers, Kings, Heat, and Hawks could all utilize Siakam to bolster their prospects after those two teams.

2. Jones Tyus
Tyus Jones’s exit from the Memphis Grizzlies was a major factor in their early-season problems. Because Jones was the most overqualified backup quarterback in the NBA, the Grizzlies were able to survive Ja Morant’s absence for years. Jones is having a great year as the Washington Wizards’ starting point guard right now. He is still an unbelievable 5.4 to 0.8 assist-to-turnover ratio and has never shot the ball better.

Jones is in the last year of his contract, and the Wizards are not getting any better. Even if he would be a great stand-in for the team, their main objective should be to acquire future assets. Jones would be a huge asset to any club looking for a quality point guard who can set the stage. Additionally, his $14 million contract means that bringing him on board won’t necessitate a major talent exodus.

Jones will only be a rental, but if the players going to Washington aren’t young, projectable talents, giving up a first-round choice projected in the 20s would be a reasonable asking price for a contender. The Washington Wizards should be lured in by three to four second-round picks or a protected first if a club further out of the running wants to approach Jones and then ideally extend him.

The Los Angeles Lakers ought to pursue Tyus Jones with vigor. The load on LeBron James and Anthony Davis will be lessened by his ability to spread the floor and set up the offense. Jones is a fantastic fit for the Orlando Magic as well, and they ought to give him some thought in the upcoming free agency period. Kyle Lowry has given the Miami Heat a lot of value this season, but adding Jones would improve the team and free up cap room for the addition of another valuable player. Excellent point guards are already plenty on many of the league’s top teams, but Jones might be seen by the Utah Jazz as a foundational piece for their next strong squad.

1. Caruso Alex
In addition to having his finest offensive season to date, Alex Caruso is maybe the best perimeter defender in basketball. Save for perhaps the Celtics, he is a plug-and-play defensive upgrade for every club. Caruso may now be considered a real 3-and-D player since he is shooting 3-pointers at the greatest rate of his career. Caruso isn’t a rental because he still has one season left on his $9.89 million contract. The major issue with Caruso is that, because of his high-intensity style of play, he doesn’t play a lot of minutes—averaging less than 30 minutes per game.

The Bulls had resisted expanding their roster for some time, but it was evident that they were considering starting a much-needed rebuild when word leaked out that Zach LaVine and the team were considering a trade. Despite being a stronger player and more well-known than Caruso, LaVine is not likely to have as many suitors. Caruso’s contract and ability to fit in on any team will make him much more appealing to employers.

It’s challenging to estimate Caruso’s trading worth. Though he doesn’t play well, he excels in the part that he plays. He’s one of the league’s most valued players and a great match for any postseason contender, especially when he plays next to actual stars. He will bring in at least one first-round pick for the Bulls, with one more year remaining on his contract at a reasonable $10 million. It is unlikely, though, that he will get them more than one first-round selection, considering there is limited history of non-star players obtaining multiple firsts.

The Bucks absolutely need Caruso, but have no means to acquire him. However, the Sixers would be a fantastic landing spot for him and it would solidify them as the second-best team in the East and probably the entire league. The Pacers could also benefit from pairing Caruso in the backcourt with Tyrese Haliburton. The Nuggets would be an exceptional fit for Caruso, but they have few assets and would have to cobble together multiple players to match salary. The Sacramento Kings are rumored to be aggressively pursuing upgrades and Caruso would help solidify their defense. Every team could use Caruso in their starting lineup or as a high-usage bench piece, and as such, should the Bulls begin to shop him, they’ll probably field flyers from over two-thirds of the league.